Contact Details
- Phone
- 64 3 479 7427
- heather.brooks@otago.ac.nz
University Links
- Position
- Associate Professor and Director, Medical Laboratory Science Programme
- Department
- Department of Pathology (Dunedin)
- Qualifications
- BSc(Hons) PhD(Lond)
Research
Heather is the Course Director for the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science.
Publications
van Hilst, Q. V. C., Pearcy, A. C., Preston, D., Wright, L. J., Hartinger, C. G., Brooks, H. J. L., & Crowley, J. D. (2024). A dynamic covalent approach to [PtnL2n]2n+ cages. Chemical Communications. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1039/D4CC00323C Journal - Research Article
Gulliver, L., Brooks, H., Kinniburgh, L., Aburn, R., Stodart, J., & Rudland, J. (2020). Health professional education and practice in preventing and controlling infections in New Zealand: A review to inform strategies for enhancing practitioner competencies and patient safety. Integrated Healthcare Journal, 2(1), e000034. doi: 10.1136/ihj-2019-000034 Journal - Research Article
Gulliver, L., Brooks, H., Kinniburgh, L., Stodart, J., & Rudland, J. (2019). Health professional education and practice in preventing and controlling infections amidst escalating global antimicrobial resistance. Proceedings of the Association for Medical Education in Europe (AMEE) Annual Conference. (pp. 622). Retrieved from https://amee.org/home Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
van Hilst, Q. V. C., Vasdev, R. A. S., Preston, D., Findlay, J. A., Scottwell, S. Ø., Giles, G. I., Brooks, H. J. L., & Crowley, J. D. (2019). Synthesis, characterisation and antimicrobial studies of some 2,6-bis(1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)pyridine ruthenium(II) “click” complexes. Asian Journal of Organic Chemistry, 8, 496-505. doi: 10.1002/ajoc.201900088 Journal - Research Article
Thomas, R. R., Gaastra, M. L. H., & Brooks, H. J. L. (2018). Shiga (Vero) -toxigenic escherichia coli: Epidemiology, virulence and disease. New Zealand Journal of Medical Laboratory Science, 72(1), 3-10. [Review]. Journal - Research Other
2024
Journal - Research Article
van Hilst, Q. V. C., Pearcy, A. C., Preston, D., Wright, L. J., Hartinger, C. G., Brooks, H. J. L., & Crowley, J. D. (2024). A dynamic covalent approach to [PtnL2n]2n+ cages. Chemical Communications. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1039/D4CC00323C
2020
Journal - Research Article
Gulliver, L., Brooks, H., Kinniburgh, L., Aburn, R., Stodart, J., & Rudland, J. (2020). Health professional education and practice in preventing and controlling infections in New Zealand: A review to inform strategies for enhancing practitioner competencies and patient safety. Integrated Healthcare Journal, 2(1), e000034. doi: 10.1136/ihj-2019-000034
2019
Journal - Research Article
van Hilst, Q. V. C., Vasdev, R. A. S., Preston, D., Findlay, J. A., Scottwell, S. Ø., Giles, G. I., Brooks, H. J. L., & Crowley, J. D. (2019). Synthesis, characterisation and antimicrobial studies of some 2,6-bis(1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)pyridine ruthenium(II) “click” complexes. Asian Journal of Organic Chemistry, 8, 496-505. doi: 10.1002/ajoc.201900088
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Gulliver, L., Brooks, H., Kinniburgh, L., Stodart, J., & Rudland, J. (2019). Health professional education and practice in preventing and controlling infections amidst escalating global antimicrobial resistance. Proceedings of the Association for Medical Education in Europe (AMEE) Annual Conference. (pp. 622). Retrieved from https://amee.org/home
2018
Journal - Research Other
Thomas, R. R., Gaastra, M. L. H., & Brooks, H. J. L. (2018). Shiga (Vero) -toxigenic escherichia coli: Epidemiology, virulence and disease. New Zealand Journal of Medical Laboratory Science, 72(1), 3-10. [Review].
2017
Journal - Research Other
Thomas, R. R., Brooks, H. J. L., & O'Brien, R. (2017). Prevalence of Shiga toxin-producing and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli marker genes in diarrhoeic stools in a New Zealand catchment area [Short report]. Journal of Clinical Pathology, 70(1), 81-84. doi: 10.1136/jclinpath-2016-203882
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Lagesse, N. R., Wright, J. R., Brooks, H. J. L., Zhao, M., & Crowley, J. D. (2017). Cationic gold(I) "click" 1,2,3-triazolylidenes: Synthesis, characterization and in-vitro antibacterial testing. Proceedings of the 10th Australasian Organometallics Meeting. (pp. 70). Retrieved from https://www.raci.org.au/divisions/australian-symposium-on-organometallic-chemistry-ozom
van Hilst, Q., Scottwell, S. Ø., Brooks, H. J. L., & Crowley, J. D. (2017). Synthesis and biological activity of 2,6-Bis(1-alkyl-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)pyridine Rythenium(II) complexes. Proceedings of the 10th Australasian Organometallics Meeting. (pp. 44). Retrieved from https://www.raci.org.au/divisions/australian-symposium-on-organometallic-chemistry-ozom
Chu, W. Y. A., Brooks, H., Fitzpatrick, C., & Simmonds, R. (2017). In vitro attachment and invasion of Group B Streptococcus with human vaginal epithelium, using wild type knockout strains. Proceedings of the University of Otago Student Research Symposium: Te Wānaka Rakahau: Ākoka. (pp. 13). Retrieved from http://www.otago.ac.nz/graduate-research/scholarships/otago643219.html
2016
Journal - Research Article
Vasdev, R. A. S., Preston, D., Scottwell, S. Ø., Brooks, H. J. L., Crowley, J. D., & Schramm, M. P. (2016). Oxidatively locked [Co2L3]6+ cylinders derived from bis(bidentate) 2-Pyridyl-1,2,3-triazole "Click" ligands: Synthesis, stability, and antimicrobial studies. Molecules, 21(11), 1548. doi: 10.3390/molecules21111548
Kumar, S. V., Scottwell, S. Ø., Waugh, E., McAdam, C. J., Hanton, L. R., Brooks, H. J. L., & Crowley, J. D. (2016). Antimicrobial properties of tris(homoleptic) ruthenium(II) 2-pyridyl-1,2,3-triazole "click" complexes against pathogenic bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Inorganic Chemistry, 55(19), 9767-9777. doi: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.6b01574
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Crowley, J. D., Vellas, S. K., Hanton, L. R., & Brooks, H. J. L. (2016). Antimicrobial properties of mono- and di-metallic 2-pyridyl-1,2,3-triazole “click” complexes. Proceedings of the Diagnostics, Drugs, Devices, Discovery (D4) Conference. Retrieved from http://www.otago.ac.nz/d4/index.html
van Hilst, Q., Scottwell, S. Ø., Brooks, H. J. L., & Crowley, J. D. (2016). Synthesis and study of biologically active 2,6-bis(1-alkyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)pyridine ruthenium(II) complexes. Proceedings of the Diagnostics, Drugs, Devices, Discovery (D4) Conference. Retrieved from http://www.otago.ac.nz/d4/index.html
Vasdev, R. A. S., Preston, D., Scottwell, S. Ø., Schramm, M. P., Brooks, H. J. L., & Crowley, J. D. (2016). Oxidatively locked [Co2L3]6+ cylinders derived from bis(bidentate) 2-pyridyl-1,2,3-triazole “click” ligands: Synthesis, stability and antibacterial studies. Proceedings of the Diagnostics, Drugs, Devices, Discovery (D4) Conference. Retrieved from http://www.otago.ac.nz/d4/index.html
Vasdev, R. A. S., Preston, D., Scottwell, S. Ø., Schramm, M. P., Giles, G. I., Brooks, H. J. L., & Crowley, J. D. (2016). Oxidatively locked [Co2L3]6+ cylinders derived from bis(bidentate) 2-pyridyl-1,2,3-triazole "click" ligands: Synthesis, stability and cytotoxicity. Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry (NZIC) Conference. Retrieved from http://www.nzic16.org/
2015
Journal - Research Article
Chan, M., Brooks, H. J. L., Moratti, S. C., Hanton, L. R., & Cabral, J. D. (2015). Reducing the oxidation level of dextran aldehyde in a chitosan/dextran-based surgical hydrogel increases biocompatibility and decreases antimicrobial efficacy. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 16(6), 13798-13814. doi: 10.3390/ijms160613798
Kumar, S. V., Lo, W. K. C., Brooks, H. J. L., & Crowley, J. D. (2015). Synthesis, structure, stability and antimicrobial activity of a ruthenium(II) helicate derived from a bis-bidentate "click" pyridyl-1,2,3-triazole ligand. Inorganica Chimica Acta, 425, 1-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ica.2014.10.011
Aziz, M. A., Cabral, J. D., Brooks, H. J. L., McConnell, M. A., Fitzpatrick, C., Hanton, L. R., & Moratti, S. C. (2015). In vitro biocompatibility and cellular interactions of a chitosan/dextran-based hydrogel for postsurgical adhesion prevention. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B, 103(2), 332-341. doi: 10.1002/jbm.b.33206
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Thomson, K., Kemp, R., Brooks, H., & McConnell, M. (2015, November). Probiotic bacteria reduce the pro-inflammatory response by enterocytes in response to bacteria isolated from cases of necrotizing enterocolitis. Verbal presentation at the Toxicology Symposium: Toxicology for the Modern Researcher, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Wise, L., Wong, K., Wati, U., Mros, S., Fleming, J., Weerasinghe, R., Brooks, H., & McConnell, M. (2015, August-September). Emerging antimicrobial therapies for skin wound infections. Verbal presentation at the Queenstown Molecular Biology (QMB) Meetings, Queenstown, New Zealand.
2014
Journal - Research Article
Kieser, D. C., Harrington, M. G., Brooks, H., Mros, S., Kieser, S. C. J., Kieser, G. A., Theis, J.-C., & Kieser, J. A. (2014). Tracing the origin of bacterial contamination in close and medium range gunshot wounds in a sheep limb model. Balkan Military Medical Review, 17(4), 111-114. doi: 10.5455/bmmr.172847
Noor, A., Huff, G. S., Kumar, S. V., Lewis, J. E. M., Paterson, B. M., Schieber, C., … Brooks, H. J. L., Gordon, K. C., Moratti, S. C., & Crowley, J. D. (2014). [Re(CO)3]+ complexes of exo-functionalized tridentate "click" macrocycles: Synthesis, stability, photophysical properties, bioconjugation, and antibacterial activity. Organometallics, 33(24), 7031-7043. doi: 10.1021/om500664v
Harrington, M. G., Lopes, R. M., Hughes, K. A., Weaver, J. E., Parslow, G., Roos, R. F., & Brooks, H. J. L. (2014). Antibiotic resistance in thermotolerant Campylobacter isolated in 2000/01 and 2010 from patients with diarrhoea in Dunedin, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Medical Laboratory Science, 68, 15-18.
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Menorca, A., Mros, S., Brooks, H., Wise, L., & McConnell, M. (2014). Antiviral properties of natural extracts against herpes simplex virus type 1. New Zealand Medical Journal, 127(1406). Retrieved from http://www.nzma.org.nz/journal
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Brooks, H., & Cornwall, J. (2014, September). The challenge of healthcare acquired infections. Invited presentation at the 7th International Rubber Glove Conference and Exhibition, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
2013
Chapter in Book - Research
Brooks, H. J. L., McConnell, M. A., & Broadbent, R. S. (2013). Microbes and the inflammatory response in necrotising enterocolitis. In O. Erez (Ed.), Preterm birth. (pp. 137-174). London, UK: InTech. doi: 10.5772/55039
Journal - Research Article
Hughes, K. A., Cornwall, J., Theis, J.-C., & Brooks, H. J. L. (2013). Bacterial contamination of unused, disposable non-sterile gloves on a hospital orthopaedic ward. Australasian Medical Journal, 6(6), 331-338. doi: 10.4066/AMJ.2013.1675
Journal - Research Other
Brooks, H. J. L. (2013). Modern microbiology: A quiet revolution with many benefits. Australasian Medical Journal, 6(7), 378-381. doi: 10.4066/amj.2013.1830
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Lewthwaite, H., Priest, P., & Brooks, H. (2013). Prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus carriage and skin conditions in Otago school children. New Zealand Medical Journal, 126(1374). Retrieved from http://www.nzma.org.nz/journal
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
McConnell, M. A., Brooks, H. J., Moratti, S. C., Hanton, L. R., & Cabral, J. D. (2013, July). In vitro and in vivo biocompatibility of a chitosan/dextan-based surgical hydrogel. Plenary presentation at the ChemEd Conference, Dunedin, New Zealand.
2012
Journal - Research Article
Matejka, K. M., Bremer, P. J., Tompkins, G. R., & Brooks, H. J. L. (2012). Antibiotic susceptibility of Moraxella catarrhalis biofilms in a continuous flow model. Diagnostic Microbiology & Infectious Disease, 74, 394-398. doi: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2012.08.021
Aziz, M. A., Cabral, J. D., Brooks, H. J. L., Moratti, S. C., & Hanton, L. R. (2012). Antimicrobial properties of a chitosan dextran-based hydrogel for surgical use. Antimicrobial Agents & Chemotherapy, 56(1), 280-287. doi: 10.1128/aac.05463-11
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Cabral, J. D., Aziz, M. A., Moratti, S. C., Brooks, H., Hanton, L. R., & Boissezon, R. (2012). Physical characterization and biocompatibility of a chitosan/dextran-based hydrogel for surgical use. Proceedings of the 243rd American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting & Exposition. Retrieved from http://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/meetings/nationalmeetings/programarchive.html
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Cabral, J. D., Aziz, M. A., McConnell, M. A., Brooks, H. J., Williams, G., Hanton, L. R., & Moratti, S. C. (2012, October). Characterization of chitosan/dextran-based surgical hydrogel. Verbal presentation at the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) 8th International Conference on Novel Materials and their Synthesis (NMS-VIII) & 22nd International Symposium on Fine Chemistry and Functional Polymers (FCFP-XXII), Xi'an, China.
2011
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Aziz, M., Moratti, S., Brooks, H., Hanton, L., & Cabral, J. (2011, November). Antimicrobial properties of chitosan/dextran based hydrogels for surgical use. Verbal presentation at the 3rd Biohydrogels International Congress, Florence, Italy.
2010
Journal - Research Article
Lim, K. H., Brooks, H., McDougal, R., Burton, J., Devenish, C., & De Silva, T. (2010). Is there a correlation between bacterial vaginosis and preterm labour in women in the Otago region of New Zealand? Australian & New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 50(3), 226-229. doi: 10.1111/j.1479-828X.2010.01149.x
Maas, E. W., & Brooks, H. J. L. (2010). Is photosynthesis a requirement for paralytic shellfish toxin production in the dinoflagellate Alexandrium minutum algal-bacterial consortium. Journal of Applied Phycology, 22, 293-296. doi: 10.1007/s10811-009-9458-1
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Cabral, J., Moratti, S., Hanton, L., Aziz, M., Kirchhoefer, C., Bork, O., & Brooks, H. (2010). Drug release studies and biological properties of chitosan/dextran-based hydrogels for surgical use. Proceedings of the International Chemical Congress of Pacific Basin Societies (Pacifichem). Retrieved from http://pacifichem.abstractcentral.com/planner
2009
Journal - Research Article
Carter, P. E., McTavish, S. M., Brooks, H. J. L., Campbell, D., Collins-Emerson, J. M., Midwinter, A. C., & French, N. P. (2009). Novel clonal complexes with an unknown animal reservoir dominate Campylobacter jejuni isolates from river water in New Zealand. Applied & Environmental Microbiology, 75(19), 6038-6046. doi: 10.1128/aem.01039-09
2008
Journal - Research Article
McQueen, R. H., Laing, R. M., Delahunty, C. M., Brooks, H. J. L., & Niven, B. E. (2008). Retention of axillary odour on apparel fabrics. Journal of the Textile Institute, 99(6), 515-523. doi: 10.1080/00405000701659774
2007
Journal - Research Article
McQueen, R. H., Laing, R. M., Brooks, H. J. L., & Niven, B. E. (2007). Odor intensity in apparel fabrics and the link with bacterial populations. Textile Research Journal, 77(7), 449-456.
Maas, E. W., Latter, R. M., Thiele, J., Waite, A. M., & Brooks, H. J. L. (2007). Effect of multiple antibiotic treatments on a paralytic shellfish toxin-producing culture of the dinoflagellate Alexandrium minutum. Aquatic Microbial Ecology, 48, 255-260.
2006
Journal - Research Article
Eyles, R. F., Brooks, H. J. L., Townsend, C. R., Burtenshaw, G. A., Heng, N. C. K., Jack, R. W., & Weinstein, P. (2006). Comparison of Campylobacter jejuni PFGE and Penner subtypes in human infections and in water samples from the Taieri River catchment of New Zealand. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 101, 18-25.
Brooks, H. J. L., McConnell, M. A., Corbett, J., Buchan, G. S., Fitzpatrick, C. E., & Broadbent, R. S. (2006). Potential prophylactic value of bovine colostrum in necrotizing enterocolitis in neonates: An in vitro study on bacterial attachment, antibody levels and cytokine production. FEMS Immunology & Medical Microbiology, 48(3), 347-354.
2005
Journal - Research Article
Burton, J. P., Chilcott, C. N., Al-Qumber, M., Brooks, H. J. L., Wilson, D., Tagg, J. R., & Devenish, C. (2005). A preliminary survey of Atopobium vaginae in women attending the Dunedin gynaecology out-patients clinic: Is the contribution of the hard-to-culture microbiota overlooked in gynaecological disorders? Australian & New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 45, 450-452.
Tannock, G. W., Ghazally, S., Walter, J., Loach, D., Brooks, H., Cook, G., … Simmers, C., Bremer, P., … Hertel, C. (2005). Ecological behavior of Lactobacillus reuteri 100-23 is affected by mutation of the luxS gene. Applied & Environmental Microbiology, 71(12), 8419-8425.
2004
Journal - Research Article
Ahmed, D., Brooks, H., McConnell, M., & Barbezat, G. (2004). Antibiotic resistance in Helicobacter pylori: Is it a problem in New Zealand? New Zealand Medical Journal, 117(1200). Retrieved from http://journal.nzma.org.nz/journal/117-1200/1022/content.pdf
Brooks, H. J. L., Ahmed, D., McConnell, M. A., & Barbezat, G. O. (2004). Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection by polymerase chain reaction: Is it worth it? Diagnostic Microbiology & Infectious Disease, 50, 1-5. doi: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2003.11.010
2002
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Eyles, R. F., Niyogi, D. K., Townsend, C. R., Weinstein, P., Brooks, H. J., & Trott, A. (2002). Ecosystem change and Campylobacter in freshwaters. Verbal presentation at the New Zealand Limnological Society Conference, Greymouth, New Zealand.
2001
Journal - Research Article
Brooks, H. J. L., Mollison, B. D., Bettelheim, K. A., Matejka, K., Paterson, K. A., & Ward, V. K. (2001). Occurrence and virulence factors of non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in retail meat in Dunedin, New Zealand. Letters in Applied Microbiology, 32(2), 118-122. doi: 10.1046/j.1472-765x.2001.00868.x
McConnell, M. A., Buchan, G. S., Borissenko, M. V., & Brooks, H. J. (2001). A comparative study of IgG and IgG1 activity in an early milk concentrate from non-immunised cows and a milk from hyperimmunised animals. Food Research International, 34(2-3), 255-261.
2000
Journal - Research Article
Maas, E. W., Thiele, J., Thompson, C., Latter, R. M., & Brooks, H. J. L. (2000). Modification of an algal culture medium for sustained growth of a saxitoxin-producing isolate of Alexandrium minutum. Journal of Applied Phycology, 12(1), 95-98. doi: 10.1023/A:1008137303135
1998
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper
Maas, E., van Gennip, E., Truman, P., & Brooks, H. J. (1998). The effect of growth conditions on the production of sodium channel blockers by two marine bacterial isolates from toxic algal cultures. In B. Reguera, J. Blanco, M. L. Fernandez & T. Wyatt (Eds.), Harmful Algae: Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Harmful Algae. (pp. 414-416). Xunta de Galicia and the IOC of UNESCO. [Full Paper]
1997
Journal - Research Article
Brooks, H. J., Bettelheim, K. A., Todd, B., & Holdaway, M. D. H. A. (1997). Non-0157 Vero Cytoxin producing Escherichia Coli: Aetiological agents of diarrhoea in children in Dunedin, New Zealand. Comparative Immunology, Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, 20(2), 163-170.
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Maas, E., & Brooks, H. J. (1997). Toxin production of Alexandrium minutum in heterotrophic and phototrophic growth conditions. Proceedings of the Marine Biotoxin Science Workshop No.7. Wellington: Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. [Abstract]
1996
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Maas, E., van Gennip, E., & Brooks, H. J. (1996). Bacteria associated with Alexandrium minutum: Update on research. Proceedings of the Marine Biotoxin Science Workshop No.6. Wellington: Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. [Abstract]
Maas, E., & Brooks, H. J. (1996). The causative agent of toxic shellfish poisoning. Proceedings of the Marine Biotoxin Science Workshop No.5. Wellington: Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. [Abstract]
1995
Chapter in Book - Research
Reid, G., Brooks, H., Bialkowska-Hobrzansk, H., & Valvano, M. (1995). Bacteriuria in spinal cord injured patients. In S. G. Mulholland (Ed.), Antibiotic therapy in urology. (pp. 187-199). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott-Raven.
Film/Video/CD Rom
Brooks, H. J., Ward, V. K., & Todd, B. (1995). The Binocular Microscope with Oil. Dunedin: Educational Technology Support Services, Otago Un.
Brooks, H. J., & Cross, J. P. (1995). The Gram Stain. University of Otago, Dunedin: Educational Technology Support Services.
Bateup, J. M., & Brooks, H. J. (1995). Aseptic Techniques. University of Otago, Dunedin: Educational Technology Support Services.
Bateup, J. M., & Brooks, H. J. (1995). How to Streak a Plate. University of Otago, Dunedin: Educational Technology Support Services.