1. Jacob T. Brooks
269 Phillips Hall Mobile: 410.937.7894
120 Cameron Ave. brooksjt@live.unc.edu
Chapel Hill, NC 27599 UNC Physics
Research Interests
Biophysics, nanotechnology, microfluidic dynmics, molecular biology, computational physics, microgravity
physics, biomedical physics, drug development & delivery, radiation physics
Education
University of North Crolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC
Doctor of Philosophy in Physics
In Progress; Expected 2021
High Point University High Point, NC
Bachelor of Science in Physics; minors in Mathematics and Chemistry
Awarded December 2015, GPA 3.82
Research Experience
•
NASA Micro-g NExT Program High Point University & Johnson Space Center
Independent Research & Engineering Project Spring & Summer 2015
– Wrote and submitted a successful proposal to NASA’s Micro-g Neutral Buoyancy Experiment program
to design, build, and test and asteroid chipping device in the Neutral Buoyancy Lab (NBL)
– Designed and 3D-printed scaled-down models to test functionality and feasibility of our design
– Designed and constructed a prototype tool for astronauts to chip off and collect asteroid surface
samples
– Traveled to Johnson Space Center and helped divers rigorously test the device in the NBL via radio
communication
– Gave multiple oral presentations to NASA safety board, program organizers, and engineers
•
Biomimetic Cilia Array Development and Applications High Point University
PHY-4000 & Independent Fall 2013 - Spring 2015
– Wrote vPython code to examine the effect of applied magnetic field on biomimetic cilia movement
– Fabricated to-scale biomimetic artificial cilia arrays with and without magnetically responsive nickel
nanotube caps
– Designed magnetics for experimental apparatus and utilized magnetic fields to induce desired wave
behavior in a biomimetic system
– Scanning eletron microscope training including sample preparation, instrument operation, and image
capture
•
Evolutionary Similarities in Bacillus Species by Gene Similarity High Point University
BIO-4090 Spring 2014
– Attempted to isolate sporulation gene sequence similar to gerE in Bacillus subtilis
– Performed plasmid mini-prep, restriction enzyme digestion, PCR to amplify specific gene sequence, gel
electrophoreses
– Learned TOPO-cloning in JM109 E. coli to facilitate “self-ligation” between insert DNA and vector

2. •
Boleadora System Evolution High Point University
PHY-2001, PHY-2002 Fall 2012 - Spring 2013
– Engineered a progressive experiment and apparatus design
– Analyzed 3-D video using MotionAnalysis software and Raptor-12 infrared motion tracking cameras
– Applied vPython software application to create both a computational model and a reconstructive
model
Relevant Employment Experience
•
HPV OnClarityTMProject Becton-Dickinson
Lab Technician Feb. 2016 - Jul. 2016
– Hired in a temporary position between college graduation and beginning graduate school
– Clinical sample extraction to obtain HPV genotyping results using BD ViperTM
LT
– Clinical sample acquisition, documentation, and storage using refrigeration and FreezerPro softwares
– Diluent tube analysis and p-cap material feasibility assessment over time
– Training the team’s summer intern in proper experimental techniques and data presentation
– Presentation of data to team and others in meetings to provide insight into next step/follow-up
experiments
•
NASA Micro-g NExT Program Johnson Space Center
Test Week Assistant Jun. 2016
– Invited to work at Johnson Space Center as a test week assistant by program directors in the second
year of the program
– Organized testing teams on deck at the Neutral Buoyancy Lab (NBL)
– Designed and constructed a prototype tool for astronauts to chip off and collect asteroid surface
samples
– Traveled to Johnson Space Center and helped divers rigorously test the device in the NBL via radio
communication
– Gave multiple oral presentations to NASA safety board, program organizers, and engineers
•
NSF REU: BME-SIM East Carolina University
NSF Summer Researcher Summer 2015
– Research Experience for Undergraduates funded by the National Science Foundation in Biomedical
Engineering in Simulations, Imaging, and Modeling (BME-SIM)
– Development of a variety of fluid micro-mixer channel geometries using SolidWorks 3-D CAD design
software for modeling two-phase liquid-liquid flow regimes and gas-liquid flow regimes
– Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations using ANSYS Workbench and ANSYS Fluent
software to solve Navier-Stokes equations
– Analysis of velocity profile data, volume fraction data, and extrapolated mixing index data
•
HPV OnClarityTMProject Becton-Dickinson
Summer Research Intern Summer 2014
– Eukaryotic adherent cell culture growth, maintenance, and fixation for the creation of cell stock as
mock clinical samples (MS751, HeLa, SiHa, C33A)
– Clinical and mock sample extraction with PCR reactions using manual techniques and BD ViperTM
LT
– Clinical sample acquisition, documentation, and storage using refrigeration and FreezerPro softwares
– Experimentation with various levels of different PCR components to determine factor interplay and
overall effectiveness of the reaction with use of Minitab Statistical software for data analysis
– Presentation of data to team and others in meetings to provide insight into next step/follow-up
experiments

3. Selected Presentations
•
State of North Carolina Undergraduate Research Symposium High Point, NC
“HPU’s Chip ‘n’ Ship and NASA Micro-g NExT Program Experience” Nov. 14, 2015
•
Biomedical Engineering Society Fall Meeting (Poster) Tampa, FL
“Optimization of Square Channel Micromixer for a Variety of Oct. 7-10, 2015
Reynolds Numbers with Two-Phase Liquid-Liquid Flow”
•
National AAPT Winter Meeting (Poster) San Diego, CA
“Using VPython Modeling to Design the Magnetics for an Jan. 3-6, 2015
Artificial Cilia Platform”
•
Undergraduate Research Presentation to Faculty (Oral) High Point, NC
“Using Modeling and Experimentation to Understand Cilia Motion” Dec. 13, 2014
•
Undergraduate Research Presentation to Faculty (Oral) High Point, NC
“Using VPython Modeling to Design the Magnetics for an Apr. 27, 2014
Artificial Cilia Platform”
•
National Conference for Undergraduate Research (Poster) Lexington, KY
“Using VPython Modeling to Design the Magnetics for an Apr. 3-5, 2014
Artificial Cilia Platform”
•
National AAPT Winter Meeting (Poster) Orlando, FL
“Measuring and Modeling a Boleadora” Jan. 4-7, 2014
•
Undergraduate Research Presentation to Faculty (Oral) High Point, NC
“Using VPython Modeling to Design the Magnetics for an Dec. 10, 2013
Artificial Cilia Platform”
•
Undergraduate Research Presentation to Faculty (Oral) High Point, NC
“Understanding and Modeling the Evolving Boleadora” Apr. 26, 2012
•
Big South Undergraduate Research Symposium (Poster) High Point, NC
“Understanding and Modeling the Evolving Boleadora” Apr. 5-6, 2013
•
Undergraduate Research Presentation to Faculty (Poster) High Point, NC
“Understanding and Modeling the Evolving Boleadora” Dec. 12, 2012
Organizations
• Member, Alpha Chi National College Honor Society
• Member, Alpha Phi Omega co-ed service fraternity, Mu Xi chapter
• Member, Society of Physics Students (SPS), High Point University chapter; secretary 2012-2013
• Member, American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT)
• Member, National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS)
Educational & Public Outreach
• Local public service and community outreach events on and off campus, through Alpha Phi Omega
• Volunteer at annual Piedmont Science Fair for Non-Public Schools through SPS [2012, 2013, 2014]
• Volunteer at National AAPT Winter Meeting outreach demonstration show for local middle
schoolers [2014]

4. • Volunteer at HPUniverse Day, an on-campus event attracting over 1,500 local children and their
families to learn more about physics and astronomy [2015]
• Volunteer demonstrator and educator at local miniature Maker Faire held at Barnes & Noble [2015]
• Volunteer coach and mentor for local elementary school GO FAR program [2015]
Peer-Reviewed Publications
2. Optimization of Square Channel Micromixer for a Variety of Reynolds Numbers
with Two-Phase Liquid-Liquid Flow
Brooks, J.T., Abdel-Salam, T. 2015, in preparation.
1. Understanding and Modeling the Motion of the Boleadora Weapon
Brooks, J.T., Titus, A., Fiser, B. 2013, Proceedings of the sixth Big South Undergraduate
Research Symposium (BigSURS), 2013.

5. Relevant Computing Skills
Programming Languages: vPython, Python, C++, LATEX, G
Computer and OS: Linux/Unix, Windows, Macintosh
Software: Tracker, LoggerPro, Maple, MatLab, FreezerPro, Minitab, Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Word, Excel),
Grapher, LATEXtypesetting software, ANSYS Workbench, ANSYS Fluent, Blender, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, LabView
Selected Awards & Honors
• HPU Panther CLAWS “Chip ‘n’ Ship” proposal, NASA Micro-g NExT Program, Accepted, 2015
• Outstanding Presentation Award, AAPT Winter Meeting, 2012
• High Point University Fellowship - $20,000 renewable per year for four years and $4,000 study
abroad stipend, 2012
• Becton-Dickinson Scholarship - $3,000 renewable per year for five years, 2012
• National Merit Scholar Honorable Mention, 2012
• National Honor Society, 2010 - 2012
• Science National Honor Society, 2010 - 2012; Vice-President 2011-2012
• National AP Scholar, 2012