Brooke D. Hunter

Dr. Brooke D. Hunter serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences at Appalachian State University, joining the department in January 2025 after completing a postdoctoral research position at Yale University. Her work centers on the Critical Zone—the dynamic interface where geological, biological, and atmospheric processes interact—to investigate how geomorphic processes influence soil development and organic carbon dynamics.

Her educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Earth Sciences from the University of Oregon
• B.A. in Geology from Macalester College

Dr. Hunter's research spans Critical Zone Science, Geomorphology, Soil Science, and Environmental Hazards, with specific expertise in topographic analysis, wildfire impacts, and mass movement processes. She integrates field observations of landscape evolution with laboratory analyses of soil carbon to understand how environmental changes affect carbon cycling and landscape stability. Her work has significant implications for predicting climate change impacts and developing sustainable land management strategies.

Dr. Hunter maintains an active publication record in high-impact journals, with recent work focusing on soil organic carbon dynamics in erosional landscapes and weathering pathways. Her research demonstrates strong methodological rigor through combined field-lab approaches and collaboration with leading earth science institutions.

As a new faculty member, Dr. Hunter is establishing her research program and mentoring opportunities. She actively engages with the department's 50th-anniversary initiatives and encourages students interested in earth sciences to explore research possibilities within her evolving program. Her work particularly emphasizes the landscapes surrounding Appalachian State University, providing local relevance to global environmental challenges.