Jamie Brooks earned a Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology from Virginia Commonwealth University, where she then received postdoctoral training in bacteriophage genetics and worked with the Human Microbiome Project (phases 1 and 2) to study the vaginal microbiome and its role in preterm birth.

Brooks now focuses on liberal arts undergraduate biology education and works toward her professional goal of exposing as many undergraduate students as possible to high-quality, authentic research experiences.