Rutgers Researcher, Who Developed First COVID-19 Saliva Test, Dies
KEY POINTS
The saliva test he developed was granted emergency approval by the FDA in April 2020
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy called Brooks one of our state s unsung heroes
Andrew Brooks, a research professor at Rutgers University who led the development of the first COVID-19 saliva-based test, died on Jan. 23 at the age of 51. The cause of death was a heart attack, his sister Janet Green told CNN.
In April last year, the Food and Drug Administration gave emergency approval to the saliva test developed by RUCDR Infinite Biologic, a unit of the university s Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey. Brooks, who was RUCDR s chief operating officer and director of technology, said at the time that the impact of the approval was significant. A month later, authorization arrived for the first at-home COVID-19 test that used saliva samples.
Andrew Brooks, a research professor at Rutgers University who led the development of the first FDA-approved Covid-19 saliva test, died suddenly on January 23, according to a Rutgers statement.
Andrew Brooks
The renowned research professor who led the creation of the first coronavirus saliva-based test to receive FDA emergency approval died on Saturday, Jan. 23.
According to CNN, Andrew Brooks was 51 years of age when he unexpectedly passed away due to complications associated with a heart attack.
Brooks, born and raised in New Jersey, eventually became a key player in the fight against COVID-19.
He was a research professor in Rutgers-New Brunswick’s School of Arts and Sciences in the Department of Genetics, an academic member of the Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, a research faculty member in Rutgers’ Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute and a member of its NIHS Center of Excellence, and a member of the graduate faculty in Rutgers Joint Graduate Program in Toxicology.
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.
Covid-19: Snowstorm Disrupts Vaccinations Across Northeast
Last Updated
Feb. 17, 2021, 5:54 p.m. ETFeb. 17, 2021, 5:54 p.m. ET
The spread of the virus is slowing in U.S. nursing homes. Republican senators who want to scale back aid in the next coronavirus relief package will meet with President Biden.
Here’s what you need to know:
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New York City Postpones Vaccine Appointments Ahead of Storm
Mayor Bill de Blasio said the city would postpone Covid-19 vaccinations scheduled for Monday and suspend in-person learning for the day after winter storm conditions were forecast for the area.
“For Monday, we are not going to have in-person school. We will pivot to remote learning for all our students. So no school in-person on Monday canceled now. We will have an update tomorrow about Tuesday. Right now we do not have a decision for Tuesday yet. We have to see more about how this storm develops. Vaccine sites, and again, we want to get everyone vaccinated. We’re going be ta