On Saturday, January 23, Andrew Ira Brooks (“Andy” to everyone) became ill suddenly and died near his Manhattan, New York home. He was 51 years of age, born and raised in New Jersey. Andy received his Ph.D. degree in Neuroscience from the University of Rochester and became their Director of Medical Center Core Facilities. Four years later he returned to New Jersey to direct the joint Rutgers/UMDNJ EOHSI Bionomics Research and Technology Center with an appointment as Research Professor in the Rutgers University Department of Genetics. In 2009 he became Chief Operating Officer and Director of Technology Development of RUCDR, Infinite Biologics®, a Rutgers public/private partnership. His career is distinguished by his scholarship, service to the field of biomedicine and business activities designed to improve human health. Dr. Brooks co-authored over 70 publications, several with over 1000 citations in the literature. Moreover, he played a key role in providing consultation, biobanking and analytical services to many large research projects that have yielded important insights into the genomic etiology of human diseases and the effects of environmental exposures. He will be remembered by the large cohort of scientists whose research he facilitated through many formal arrangements. Notably, in early 2020, Dr. Brooks led the effort within RUCDR to develop the Rutgers COVID-19 diagnostic assay. It received FDA Emergency Use Authorization in March 2020 as the first approved saliva diagnostic and, a month later, the first of any test approved for home use. Starting in March 2020 and continuing today, RUCDR (now IBX) has performed over four million clinical tests, undoubtedly saving many lives, and providing a practical tool for pandemic control.
Dr. Brooks served 17 years as an advisor to the Food and Drug Administration, as Director of the Harlan (now Envigo) GeneScreen® Laboratory and as Co-Founding Director of the BioProcessing Solutions Alliance. In June 2020 he led the effort to privatize RUCDR Infinite Biologics, founding Infinity BiologiX, LLC® (IBX) and becoming Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer. As a leader in biomaterials, IBX employs over 500 staff across multiple sites to provide support to the development of diagnostics, therapeutics and research for genomics, precision medicine and regenerative medicine.
Andy loved golf, playing with his father as a youth, in college and throughout adulthood. He was an extraordinarily accomplished amateur, winning international tournaments with his skill, concentration, and friendly competitive spirit. He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Phyllis Brooks, his sister, Janet Green, his children Lauren, Hannah and Danielle, and by his wife, Jil Brooks.
Written by Jay A. Tischfield, colleague and friend.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that memorial donations be made to the Rutgers University Foundation in support of the Dr. Andrew Brooks Memorial Scholarship. Please send your donation to PO Box 193, New Brunswick, NJ 08903-0193. Gifts can also be made online at http://give.rutgers.edu/BrooksScholarship.
The Brooks family is overwhelmed by the outpouring of sympathy and by everyone who wishes to pay their respects. However, sadly, due to covid-19 gathering and distancing restrictions, the funeral services and burial will be by invitation only. Everyone is more than welcome to view the live stream of the service via Zoom info for the funeral on Thursday, January 28, 2021 at 1:00 P.M.:
https://zoom.us/j/5509992020
Meeting ID: 550-999-2020
Password: 309875
SHIVA INFORMATION
The following are the times of shiva visits on Temple Beth Ahm's Zoom room:
Friday, Jan. 29 Shiva visits from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Saturday night, Jan. 30 Shiva visits from 8:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Sunday, Jan. 31 Shiva visits from 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Monday, Feb. 1 Shive visits from 7:00 pm – 8:15 pm
Tuesday, Feb. 2 Shiva visits from 8:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Zoom link for all shiva visiting hours:
https://zoom.us/j/5509992020
Meeting ID: 550-999-2020
Password: 309875
