She is currently the Virginia and Leonard Marx Professor of Child Development at Teachers College, Columbia University.
Brooks-Gunn continued her studies the University of Pennsylvania, receiving her Ph.D. in human learning and development under the supervision of Michael Lewis.
Brooks-Gunn's work led to increased understanding of the influence of parents and schools on child development.
[3] In one of her books, Brooks-Gunn and colleagues focused on developmental outcomes for adolescent mothers and their children in relation to school, work, the presence of the baby's father is in their lives, and other factors.
[4] In another study, Brooks-Gunn and colleagues focused on the epidemic of obesity which many people suffer from today, including young children.