Academic and Research Interests:
Dr. Brooks research interests include understanding how anthropogenic activities and stressors influence various levels of biological organization. Students and postdoctoral fellows working in his group are engaged in interdisciplinary projects that often incorporate laboratory and field studies in environmental toxicology and risk assessment, applied aquatic ecology, and water quality research. Because of the complex nature of environmental science and environmental health, students receive an interdisciplinary training that balances formational coursework with applied problem solving experiences.

His current research focuses on water quality dynamics of rapidly urbanizing regions, developing approaches to define contaminants of emerging concern (e.g., pharmaceuticals, personal care products, endocrine active substances), water reuse, and the ecology and environmental toxicology of harmful algae blooms.

Dr. Brooks has given over 60 invited presentations and lectures in the United States, United Kingdom, France, Poland, Portugal and Australia.

Teaching Interests and Student Mentoring:
Dr. Brooks' approach to teaching includes an active inclusion of research experiences and "real world" scenarios in the classroom. Because experience with contemporary scientific techniques and development of critical thinking skills is not facilitated by rote memorization, undergraduate students are often integrated into his research team. For example, Dr. Brooks often mentors undergraduate honors theses.

At the graduate level, he mentors M.S. students through the Department of Environmental Science, and PhD students through the Institute of Ecological, Earth and Environmental Sciences (www.baylor.edu/tieees) and in environmental health through the Institute of Biomedical Studies (www.baylor.edu/biomedical_studies).

Select Awards/Honors: