Frank received a Bachelor of Science degree from University of California-Davis (1995) in Integrated Ecology and Culture with a minor in Native American Studies. In 2007 he completed his Ph. D. graduate degree from Oregon State University, Environmental Sciences Program. He is currently working for the US Forest Service-Pacific Southwest Research Station, Fire and Fuels Program, on Tribal and community forestry and related natural resource issues. His research focuses on restoration ecology and the incorporation of Indigenous knowledge into landscape restoration strategies, wildland fire and forest management in the Pacific Northwest and northern California, with an emphasis on the Klamath-Siskiyou bioregion. He has a research interest in wildland fire and management and climate effects on cultural resources and Tribal values.