Rutgers researcher, a leader in fight against COVID-19, dead at 51
Updated Feb 02, 2021;
Posted Feb 02, 2021
Rutgers researcher, Dr. Andrew Brooks, who led the development of the first approved coronavirus saliva-based test for home use, died unexpectedly on Jan. 23, 2021. He was Chief Operating Officer at RUCDR Infinite Biologics. (Photo: Nick Romanenko)
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A statement released last week by Rutgers University, announced the unexpected death of research professor, Andrew Brooks.
Brooks, who died on Saturday, January 23, at the age of 51, led the development of the first approved coronavirus saliva-based test for home use, the statement read.
The rapid response test received FDA emergency approval last spring, and since March, more than four million of them have been performed, Rutgers revealed, earning recognition for Brooks and his lab’s pioneering work, in The New York Times
Andrew Brooks, Designer of COVID-19 Saliva Test, Dies at 51
The Rutgers University researcher created the first FDA-authorized spit test, which has since been used by millions of people.
Feb 2, 2021
ABOVE: Andrew Brooks photographed in April 2020 at the RUCDR Infinite Biologics soon after the Rutgers COVID-19 saliva test received emergency approval from the FDA.
NICK ROMANENKO
Andrew Brooks, a molecular neuroscientist who developed the first COVID-19 saliva test to receive emergency use authorization by the US Food and Drug Administration, died on January 23 of a heart attack. He was 51.
In the early days of the pandemic, when testing resources such as swabs and reagents were scarce, Brooks’s saliva test offered a fast and reliable way to screen large numbers of people. The test, which he designed while head of the Rutgers-affiliated biorepository RUCDR Infinite Biologics, protected essential workers from exposure to the virus as they collected samples by doing away with the
More than 4 million of the rapid response tests have been performed since March, Rutgers University said.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy honored Brooks during a press briefing last week, calling him one of our state’s unsung heroes.
Murphy said the Rutgers COVID-19 test has undoubtedly saved lives as he praised the legacy Brooks has left behind. We cannot thank Andy enough for all he did across his career,’’ Murphy said. He will be sorely missed by many.’’
Jay Tischfield, the founder and CEO of RUCDR, said in a statement that Brooks will be fondly remembered by the large cohort of scientists whose research he facilitated across many years.
Andrew Brooks, who led development of 1st approved COVID-19 spit test, dies at 51
By Kelly Hayes article
Andrew Brooks is pictured at the RUCDR Infinite Biologics soon after the Rutgers COVID-19 saliva test received emergency approval from the FDA in April 2020. (Credit: Rutgers University/Nick Romanenko)
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. - A Rutgers University research professor who was a key figure in the development of the first coronavirus spit test has died at age 51, the university said.
Andrew Brooks, 51, is credited with developing the first saliva-based test for COVID-19, which received FDA emergency approval last spring when tests were limited.
The university did not disclose the cause of professor Andrew Brooks death. He was 51. We at Rutgers offer our heartfelt condolences to his family, including his three children, and with them we take pride in his achievements that will have lasting impact, said Rutgers-New Brunswick Chancellor Christopher J. Malloy, Chancellor Brian Strom and Vice President of Research S. David Kimball, in a joint statement.
Gov. Phil Murphy called Brooks one of our state s unsung heroes, and the test undoubtedly saved lives, during his press briefing Monday. We cannot thank Andy enough for all he did across his career, Murphy said. He will be sorely missed by many.