He conducts research in forest and landscape ecology, studying the effects and interactions of human and natural disturbances on forest structure and ecosystem processes. He received his B.S and M.S. degrees in Natural Resources at the University of Michigan, his Ph.D. in Forest Ecology and Management at the University of Wisconsin, and did his postdoctoral research at Colorado State University. Dr. Kashian’s research in Michigan in part examines the dynamics of jack pine forests in the northern Lower Peninsula and the ecological effects of the emerald ash borer in the Metro Detroit area. His research program in the Rocky Mountains examines the effects of fire and insects on forest structure and function in lodgepole pine forests, and aspen dynamics in the face of changing disturbance regimes. UMBS's forest ecosystems are the field laboratory for his fall Terrestrial Ecology course.