Vicky Apostolides

Hi, my name is Vicky Apostolides, and I am an undergraduate Geology student at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. Geology has been a constant thread in my life—from being the kid who always brought home buckets of rocks to the student who now can’t resist stopping to study an outcrop on the side of the highway. Alongside my major, I am pursuing a minor in Russian and a GIS certificate, both of which challenge me intellectually and allow me to connect with people and data in broader ways.

My research interests focus on geohazards, particularly flooding and landslides, and how Earth's processes shape landscapes and communities. As a research assistant, I’ve studied glaciers and geomorphological evolution, and I have also worked with flood modeling during my summer internship at the Kentucky Geological Survey. In the field, I’ve had the opportunity to collect samples from caves in Kentucky with Dr. Rachel Washburn and to help install landslide monitors across eastern Kentucky with the CLIMBS project team. These experiences have enhanced my understanding of how geology directly impacts the ecology of a landscape and human safety.

I’m eager to continue building connections with other scientists who are passionate about geological hazards, Earth systems, and the ways geology can inform solutions for the challenges we face.