In Memory of Dr. Andy Brooks

Dear ESBB members and Biobanking community,

We are deeply saddened by the news that Dr. Andrew Brooks, best known as “Andy”, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 51 on Saturday 23^rd January 2021. He was a biobanking leader, 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, research faculty in Rutgers’ Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute and a member of its NIEHS Center of Excellence, and a member of the graduate faculty in Rutgers Joint Graduate Program in Toxicology. Recently he was the founder of IBX (Infinity Biologix) focused on COVID-19 saliva tests (the first approved by FDA).

Andy touched many people with his incredible talents and huge personality working with many institutions around the world, in Europe, USA, Africa, China, Qatar and other corners of the world. Andy, all say, was a true force of nature and will be deeply missed by all of us. He made many contributions as innovator, on Biobanking Science, biospecimens quality control, automation, etc. and he played a key consulting role in biobanking and analytical services. He actively participated in many research projects that have yielded important insights into the genomic aetiology of human diseases and the effects of environmental exposures.

Andy, you will be dearly missed. We say RIP Andy Brooks from your friends, colleagues and from everyone you touched in your life time.

Our thoughts and dearest condolences are with his wife, his children and his entire family at this time.

Rosita Kammler

ESBB President