Valarie embarked on her myeloma journey back in 2015, and ever since she's been on a mission. As a resilient myeloma thriver, her passion lies in not just navigating her own path but also in illuminating the journey for others. With a steadfast commitment to understanding the intricacies of the disease, she champions education, shedding light on health inequities that often lurk in the shadows. Driven by a profound belief in fairness, Valarie tirelessly advocates for equitable access to top-tier healthcare, clinical trials, and tailored treatments. Her journey as a beacon of knowledge and support began when she assumed the role of a support group leader. Today, she continues to extend her hand as a myeloma coach, mentor angel, and the guiding force behind the Black Myeloma Health Community. Valarie's voice echoes far and wide as she fearlessly confronts the disparities faced by myeloma patients. Through collaborative efforts with healthcare providers, she strives to forge pathways to solutions, ensuring that every individual receives the care they deserve. Join Valarie on her journey of empowerment and advocacy as she lights the way toward a brighter, more equitable future in myeloma care.

Dr. Cook’s research focuses on identifying the biologic drivers of monoclonal gammopathies with the goal of improving risk stratification and advancing targeted screening approaches. Dr. Cook has a particular interest in the germline contribution to disease susceptibility and the role of immune evolution in early myelomagenesis. Through the MAGIC (MGUS/MM Awareness and Genetic Insights Campaign) screening studies, Dr. Cook leads efforts to define molecular and immune features that distinguish stable precursor states from those at higher risk of progression to multiple myeloma. These studies leverage longitudinal biospecimen data and deep phenotyping to develop clinically actionable risk models that inform early intervention strategies.