Ashley Schulz

Dr. Ashley Schulz is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Forestry at Mississippi State University's College of Forest Resources. Her research focuses on invasive species ecology, forest entomology, and biotic/abiotic disturbance interactions.

• Arkansas State University - Ph.D. in Environmental Science
• University of Georgia - M.S. in Forest Resources
• University of Missouri-Columbia - B.S. in Forestry

Dr. Schulz's research explores how evolutionary history and species interactions influence forest disturbances. She works on phylogenetic risk assessment for non-native insects, invasive plant management (like cogongrass), and habitat suitability modeling for threatened species like butternut. Her work bridges invasion ecology and biological control, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration.

Recent publications examine southern pine beetle impacts (2025), host breadth quantification (2025), and oak regeneration models (2025). Earlier works established frameworks for impact assessment (2020-2021) and analyzed historical conifer-insect relationships (2013).

• Entomological Society of America
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi
• Professional Arborist Association of Mississippi
• Society of American Foresters
• Xi Sigma Pi National Forestry Honor Society

Dr. Schulz advises graduate students Drew Williams, Corwin Sharp, Elizabeth Esser, and Hannah Rideout. She collaborates with Dr. Christine Fortuin and Dr. Kristy McAndrew in the Forest Disturbance, Invertebrate, & Conservation Ecology (DICE) Lab. Her extension work includes Mississippi invasive species guides and risk assessment frameworks for urban forestry.