Brooks began his journey in horticultural science and agriculture growing up in his family's watermelon farm in Trenton, FL. He became intimately familiar with the fruit and vegetable industries, having witnessed the dedication and hard work required for successful harvests. His family’s farm depended on the latest watermelon varieties developed by plant breeders, which piqued his curiosity about the science behind crop improvement. At the University of Florida during his undergraduate studies in Plant Science, he had the opportunity to broaden his horizons and learn about environmental horticulture. 

Brooks’ dissertation research focuses on enhancing ornamental plants while addressing issues related to invasiveness. He employs various approaches, including traditional plant breeding, bioinformatics, and genetic engineering, to develop plants with improved visual appeal and functional characteristics to satisfy consumer preferences and market demands. For instance, his work with lantana, porterweed, and petunia aims to generate novel plant varieties that exhibit more vibrant colors, disease resistance, and reduced invasiveness, which contribute to superior crop yields and product quality. These developments not only benefit the ornamental plant industry but also contribute to environmental conservation efforts by mitigating the spread of invasive species.

One of the most significant challenges Brooks has faced in his career was managing the complexity of simultaneous research projects and academic responsibilities during his graduate studies. To overcome this challenge, he adopted effective time management techniques, prioritized tasks, and sought support from mentors and colleagues. He also learned to delegate and collaborate, which not only eased the workload but also enriched his research with diverse perspectives. By maintaining a strong work-life balance and staying organized, he has successfully navigated the demands of academia and research.

Brooks began his graduate study with us in January 2020. He completed his MS program in December 2021 and is currently working towards a Ph.D. degree in plant breeding and genetics. Over the past three and a half years, Brooks has consistently demonstrated exceptional scholarship potential. He has maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA, published six refereed papers in reputable scientific journals, presented research findings at multiple professional meetings, and received numerous awards at the state and national levels. He has been involved in diverse research projects encompassing blackberries, caladiums, citrus, lantana, petunias, and porterweed. Through these projects and coursework, he has gained extensive knowledge and developed skills in plant breeding, genetics, genomics, and gene editing. Brooks possesses an impressive aptitude for identifying issues in research projects and crafting innovative solutions. Brooks has efficiently served as the lab manager, overseeing equipment, supplies, and the scheduling of shared spaces, which shows his exceptional organizational skills. He has played a mentoring role for incoming graduate students and undergraduate interns. His expertise in lab protocols, experimental design, and data analysis has been an asset to these students. Beyond his research endeavors, Brooks has embraced numerous leadership roles and played a very active role in student organizations including the University’s Graduate Student Council. These experiences have honed his ability to effectively communicate with diverse audiences, think critically, and solve problems in challenging situations. We are immensely gratified to have Brooks as a member of our lab.