Associate Professor Heather Brooks

2026

Journal - Research Article

He, Q., Sohail, A., Brooks, H. J. L., Gordon, K. C., Lim, K. S., & Crowley, J. D. (2026). Water-soluble ammonium BODIPYs: Synthesis, photophysics, photogelation, and antimicrobial activity. Chemistry: An Asian Journal, 21(9), e70761. doi: 10.1002/asia.70761

He, Q., Morison, S., Prados-Martin, L., McAdam, C. J., Brooks, H. J. L., Gordon, K. C., Lim, K. S., & Crowley, J. D. (2026). Water-soluble cobalt(III)–polypyridyl complexes: Synthesis, structures and properties. European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 29, e202500561. doi: 10.1002/ejic.202500561

2024

Journal - Research Other

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 [Pt_nL_2n]²ⁿ⁺ cages. Chemical Communications, 60, 4302-4305. 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

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.

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.

2006

Journal - Research Article

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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., & 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]

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]

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

Bateup, J. M., & Brooks, H. J. (1995). How to Streak a Plate. 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.

Brooks, H. J., & Cross, J. P. (1995). The Gram Stain. University of Otago, Dunedin: Educational Technology Support Services.

Brooks, H. J., Ward, V. K., & Todd, B. (1995). The Binocular Microscope with Oil. Dunedin: Educational Technology Support Services, Otago Un.