The Rutgers University researcher who created the first approved COVID-19 saliva test, Andrew Brooks, PhD, died unexpectedly at age 51 on January 23.
The test earned Brooks recognition from numerous media outlets and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy.
Andrew Brooks, PhD, COO and director of technology development at RUCDR Infinite Biologics. Image courtesy of Rutgers University.Brooks was a research professor at Rutgers-New Brunswick's School of Arts and Sciences in the genetics department, an academic member of the Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, a research faculty member in Rutgers' Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, and more.
He served as chief operating officer (COO) and director of technology development at RUCDR Infinite Biologics, and most recently spearheaded the development of the COVID-19 saliva test.
He was born and raised in New Jersey but left the state to earn his PhD in neuroscience from the University of Rochester. Later he became its director of Medical Center Core Facilities. He stayed for four years before returning to his native New Jersey to direct the joint Rutgers/University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ)/Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute (EOHSI) Bionomics Research and Technology Center.
In 2009, he became COO and director of technology development of RUCDR Infinite Biologics.
