Brian W. Zimmer

Brian W. Zimmer is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences at Appalachian State University's College of Arts and Sciences, where he has taught since 2008. He specializes in volcanology, photogrammetry, and paleo-environmental reconstructions, with ongoing research on ancient human footprints in Tanzanian volcanic ash and subglacial volcanism in Iceland.

His research interests include:

• Phreatomagmatic volcanic processes (interactions between magma and water)
• Subglacial eruption dynamics and landform evolution
• Application of structure-from-motion photogrammetry in geological conservation
• Pleistocene human footprint preservation and analysis

Zimmer's publications focus on volcanology, footprint taphonomy, and innovative field methodologies. Recent work (2018-2021) emphasizes 3D erosion quantification, hominin locomotion studies, and Triassic fossil morphology.

Awards include:

• 2015 College of Arts and Sciences Teaching Excellence Award
• 2021-2022 Board of Governors Teaching Award

He leads the Land of Fire and Ice field course in Iceland, advises student clubs (Juggling, Slacklining), and organizes campus sustainability initiatives. No formal student advisees or grants are detailed.