Andrew Brooks, who led development of 1st approved COVID-19 spit test, dies at 51 By Kelly Hayes article Andrew Brooks is pictured at the RUCDR Infinite Biologics soon after the Rutgers COVID-19 saliva test received emergency approval from the FDA in April 2020. (Credit: Rutgers University/Nick Romanenko) NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. - A Rutgers University research professor who was a key figure in the development of the first coronavirus spit test has died at age 51, the university said. Andrew Brooks, 51, is credited with developing the first saliva-based test for COVID-19, which received FDA emergency approval last spring when tests were limited.