Kevin Padian is a Professor of Integrative Biology at UC Berkeley since 1980; he moved to Kensington in 1989.  His research focuses on major changes in the evolution of terrestrial animals, particularly those associated with major climatic changes.  In 1973 he did a Masters' project on the newly emerging science of fire ecology and landscape management.  His major concern for the Fire District is its role in preparing citizens to cope with the hazards of living on the wildland-urban interface, as well as a major geological fault.