Bryan W. Brooks, Ph.D.

Distinguished Professor

Environmental Science

Distinguished Professor, Environmental Science and Public Health
Director, Environmental Health Science Program
Editor-in-Chief, Environmental Science & Technology Letters

Education

Ph.D., Environmental Science, University of North Texas, Denton, TX
M.S., Biological Sciences, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS
B.S., Biological Sciences, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS

Publications

Recent Publications.pdf (98.46 KB)

Research Gate

Google Scholar Profile

Academic and Research Interests

More people now live in cities than ever before. Historically, human populations thrived near rivers and their mouths at coastlines, but with urban expansion the footprints of metropolitan areas extend throughout watersheds and ultimately encompass smaller order tributaries. Such population densities dictate the need for new water supplies and reclamation infrastructure, which results in effluent discharges to these headwater streams, dramatically modifying instream hydrology, particularly in regions where ephemeral streams are normative. When effluent-dominated and dependent instream flows become critical arteries for beneficial water reuse, as increasingly is observed in areas experiencing climate changes and rapid population growth, an urban water cycle is realized. Judicious stewardship is required to ensure sustainable environmental quality for public health and ecosystems.

Dr. Brooks' transdisciplinary research interests broadly include understanding and managing anthropogenic activities and stressors across levels of biological organization, particularly in rapidly urbanizing regions. Students and postdoctoral fellows working in his group are engaged in environment and health research that often incorporates laboratory and field studies in aquatic, environmental and comparative toxicology, environmental chemistry, environmental risk assessment, and water resources research. Because of the complex nature of the environmental and ecological sciences, environmental public health and biomedical studies, students receive an interdisciplinary training that balances formational coursework and theoretical preparation with applied problem solving experiences.

Dr. Brooks and his students focus current research on water quality and water reuse, comparative toxicology and pharmacology, applied ecology, sustainable molecular design, developing approaches to define risks of contaminants of historical and emerging concern, natural resource extraction and the ecology and toxicology of harmful algae blooms. This research contributes to developing science-based approaches to identify, diagnose and manage complex environment and health issues.

Dr. Brooks routinely works internationally on water quality, environmental contaminants and sustainability issues, particularly related to rapidly urbanizing regions on five continents. He coordinates the strategic Global Horizon Scanning Project, which is identifying priority research questions necessary to achieve sustainable environmental quality around the world. Dr. Brooks is Principal Investigator on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s groundbreaking UNCOVER-EH (Understanding Needs, Challenges, Opportunities, Vision and Emerging Roles in Environmental Health) initiative, which is understanding the environmental public health workforce, and identifying challenges and research needs in the USA. The author of over 200 manuscripts in scholarly journals and books, Dr. Brooks published (with DB Huggett) Human Pharmaceuticals in the Environment: Current and Future Perspectives (Springer: ISBN 978-1-4614-3419-1). He has given over 175 invited presentations and plenary or keynote lectures in the United States, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Kenya, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, The Netherlands, Turkey, the United Kingdom, Vietnam and Zambia. His research efforts are supported by the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, local government and business.

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, routinely present their research at scientific meetings and have contributed to refereed publications. For example, Dr. Brooks often mentors undergraduate honors theses; undergraduate mentees have received highly competitive fellowships from the US EPA and the Fulbright Program. Undergraduate alumni routinely secure employment following graduation and complete MSs, MPHs, PhDs, MDs, and other professional programs. Graduate alumni presented their findings at scholarly meetings, publish their work in international peer-reviewed journals and secure employment following graduation.

At the graduate level, he mentors M.S. and Ph.D students through the Department of Environmental Science, and MPH students majoring in environmental health science through the Department of Public Health (https://publichealth.robbins.baylor.edu).

Videos and Interviews

Select Awards/Honors

John P. Laborde Chair for Sea Grant Research and Technology Transfer and Visiting Professor, Louisiana Sea Grant Program, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science
Catalyst Leaders Fellowship, Royal Society of New Zealand, Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research, Wellington, New Zealand
Best Paper Award in Environmental Science and Technology (Ford et al. 2021)
Visiting Professor, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, University of South Bohemia, Czech Republic.
Best Paper Awards of 2020 in Environmental Science: Processes and Impacts (Ågerstrand et al. 2020)
Past Presidents Award, National Environmental Health Association
2018 Recipharm International Environmental Award
Fellow, Royal Society of Chemistry
Fellow, Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
Visiting Pearl River Scholar Chair Professor, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
Leadership Award, Water Environment Federation. 2016.
Eugene Kenaga Membership Award, Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 2016.
Presidential Citation for Exemplary Service, Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry World Council. 2016.
Presidential Citation for Exemplary Service, Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry World Council and North America. 2015.
Editor-in-Chief, Environmental Management (Springer; 2014-2020)
Visiting Erskine Fellow, Environmental Science Program and Department of Chemistry, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand. 2014.
Certificate of Merit, National Environmental Health Association. 2014.
Presidential Citation for Exemplary Service, Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry World Council. 2013.
Associate Editor, Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (Wiley-Blackwell/SETAC; 2014-2017)
Associate Editor, Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management (Wiley-Blackwell/SETAC; 2010-2018)
Associate Editor, Science of the Total Environment (Elsevier; 2010-2013)
Editorial board member, Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (2007-2010), Science of the Total Environment (2010-2020) and Toxicon (2010-2020)
Fulbright Visiting Research Chair in Water and the Environment, Alberta, Canada. Fulbright Program, U.S. Department of State.
Science Advisory Panel, Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodentcide Act/Food Quality Protection Act Scientific Review Board Member for "Common Effects Assessment Methodology Developed in the Office of Pesticide Programs and Office of Water, " U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Scientific and Technological Achievement Award, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Environmental Public Health Leadership Institute, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Outstanding Faculty Award for Scholarship, Baylor University
Program Cochair, 30th Annual Meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC), New Orleans LA, 19-23 November 2009
Mortar Board Circle of Achievement Award for Teaching Excellence, Baylor University
Phi Beta Kappa recognition for student mentoring, Baylor University
SETAC North America Board of Directors (2012-2015)

Select Student Awards/Honors

Knauss Marine Science Policy Fellowship, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sea Grant. Kendall R. Scarlett. 2022.
National Environmental Public Health Internship, Olivia Fitzgerald. National Environmental Health Association, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Memphis, TN. 2022.
STEM recipient of the Outstanding Dissertation Award for 2021-2022, Baylor University Graduate School. Raegyn B. Taylor.
Top 5 Platform Presentation Award. NaToxAq Conference, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. Lea M. Lovin. 2020.
3^rd Place Platform Presentation Award. Young Environmental Scientist Meeting, Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. S. Rebekah Burket. 2020.
National Environmental Public Health Internship, Andrea Santa Cruz. National Environmental Health Association, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Providence, RI. 2020.
Outstanding Graduate Research Award in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, Baylor University Graduate School. S. Rebekah Burket. 2020.
National Environmental Public Health Internship, Ms. Lauren Fricke. National Environmental Health Association, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Galion, OH. 2019.
National Environmental Public Health Internship, Mr. Connor Crowe. National Environmental Health Association, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Elkhorn, WI. 2019.
3^rd Place Graduate Student Poster Presentation Award. Mr. Jaylen Sims. 2019 South Central SETAC Meeting, Waco, TX
National Environmental Public Health Internship, Ms. Amara Okpalo. National Environmental Health Association, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Raleigh, NC. 2018.
National Environmental Public Health Internship, Mr. Shanthi Tanga. National Environmental Health Association, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Columbus, OH. 2018.
National Environmental Public Health Internship, Ms. Megan O’Brien. National Environmental Health Association, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Kansas City, MO. 2018.
National Environmental Public Health Internship, Ms. Vivian Tran. National Environmental Health Association, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, West Springfield, MA. 2018.
3^rd Place Graduate Student Poster Presentation Award. Ms. Lea Lovin. 2018 South Central SETAC Meeting, Junction, TX.
Pfizer Undergraduate Award, Society of Toxicology Annual Meeting, San Antonio, TX. Ms. Yoomin Jo. 2018.
Top 10 Abstract Award, Risk Assessment Specialty Section, Society of Toxicology Annual Meeting, San Antonio, TX. Ms. Dan Dinh. 2018.
Peoples Choice Award (1^st Place Presentation Award). Ms. S. Rebekah Burket. North American Chemical Residue Workshop, Naples, FL. 2017.
National Environmental Public Health Internship, Ms. Dan Dinh. National Environmental Health Association, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Anchorage, AK. 2017.
National Environmental Public Health Internship, Ms. Kaitlyn Kelly. National Environmental Health Association, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Ellensburg, WA. 2017.
National Environmental Public Health Internship, Ms. Dora Lopez. National Environmental Health Association, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Plano, TX. 2017.
National Environmental Public Health Internship, Ms. Maggie Leinen. National Environmental Health Association, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Boston, MA, WA. 2017.
1^st Place Poster Presentation Award. 2016 SETAC Asia-Pacific Meeting, Singapore. Ms. Bekah Burket.
Summer Program in Environmental Health Internship, Ms. Shannon McClenahan. National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA. 2016.
3^rd Place Platform Presentation Award. 2016 South Central SETAC Meeting, Ft Worth, TX. Mr. Samuel Haddad.
Summer Program in Environmental Health Internship, Mr. John Kou. National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA. 2015.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, STAR Graduate Fellowship. Mr. Gavin Saari. 2014.
JRCOSTEP, U.S. Public Health Service, Indian Health Service, Phoenix, Arizona. Ms. Capri Woolridge. 2014.
1st Place Poster Presentation Award. 2014 South Central SETAC Meeting, San Marcos, TX. Mr. Samuel Haddad
JRCOSTEP, U.S. Public Health Service, Indian Health Service, Ft. Defiance, Arizona. Mr. Craig Calvert. 2013.
Best student presentation award. Mr. David Dreier. National Environmental Health Association, Washington, DC. 2013.
Summer Program in Environmental Health Internship, Ms. Rachel Johnson. National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA. 2013.
1st Place Undergraduate Poster Presentation Award. Mr. David Dreier. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Meeting, Nashville. 2013.
2nd Place Oral Presentation Award. Mr. Chris Breed. 2013 South Central SETAC Meeting, Houston, TX.
2nd Place Poster Presentation Award. Mr. Sam Haddad. 2013 South Central SETAC Meeting, Houston, TX.
2nd Place MS Poster Presentation Award. Ms. Lauren Kristofco. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Meeting, Long Beach. 2012.
SETAC/EA Engineering Jeff Black Award. 2012. Ms. Lauren Kristofco.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, GRO Undergraduate Fellowship. Mr. David Drier
JRCOSTEP, U.S. Public Health Service, Indian Health Service, Billings, Montana. Mr. Matthew Reid
2nd Place Oral Presentation Award. 2012 American Water Resources Association Meeting, Denver, CO. Ms. Kristin Connors
5th Place Oral Presentation Award. 2012 American Water Resources Association Meeting, Denver, CO. Mr. Bowen Du
Best Oral Presentation Award. 2012 South Central SETAC Meeting, Waco, TX. Ms. Kristin Connors
3rd Place Oral Presentation Award. 2012 South Central SETAC Meeting, Waco, TX. Ms. Krista Prosser
Student Training Exchange Award, SETAC. Ms. Kristin Connors.
2nd Place Presentation Award. 2011 Annual SETAC Meeting, Boston, MA. Mr. Bowen Du
Research Associateship, National Research Council. Mr. Jason Berninger
Fulbright Scholarship, U.S. Department of State. Mr. Austin Cook-Lindsay
Best Oral Presentation Award. Mr. Jason Berninger. 2009 South Central SETAC meeting, San Marcos, TX
Research Associateship, National Research Council. Mr. Ted Valenti
Best Oral Presentation Award. 2009 Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Ft. Worth, TX. Mr. Ted Valenti
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, GRO Undergraduate Fellowship. Mr. Austin Cook-Lindsay
TWRI/USGS Competitively Funded Mini-Grant. Mr. Ted Valenti
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, GRO Graduate Fellowship. Ms. Laura Dobbins
SETAC / EA Engineering Jeff Black Award. Ms. Laura Dobbins
Fulbright Scholarship, U.S. Department of State. Ms. Joy McCullough
Best Presentation Award. 2007 American Water Resources Association meeting, Vail, CO. Mr. Ted Valenti
Best Presentation Award. 2005 South Central SETAC meeting, Marble Falls, TX. Mr. Alejandro Ramirez
Best Undergraduate Presentation Award. Mr. Temidayo Fadelu. 2004 Texas Academy of Science meeting, Kerrville, TX

bryan_brooks@baylor.edu

(254) 710-3406

BSB C.416

Baylor University - Health and Water