Dr. Brian A. Walker Joins Sylvester Myeloma Institute

Dr. Walker will expand multiomics studies that integrate whole genome sequencing, DNA methylation, chromatin state analysis and 3D genome topology.

Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, continues to attract top-tier talent with the addition of Brian Walker , Ph.D., a globally recognized leader in myeloma research. Now serving as the SWOG Myeloma Committee Chair of Translational Medicine, Dr. Walker, who is also a professor at the Miller School, brings a rare combination of scientific rigor, translational insight and collaborative spirit to one of the world’s most advanced myeloma programs.

Epigenetics Research

Dr. Walker’s career has been defined by his commitment to unraveling the genetic and epigenetic complexities of multiple myeloma. His research has consistently focused on leveraging primary patient material and applying a broad spectrum of genomic technologies—from gene expression and mapping arrays to next-generation sequencing—to identify the genetic determinants that define myeloma subtypes. These insights have helped stratify patients by biological risk and guide more precise treatment strategies.

From Discover to Patient Care

His decision to join Sylvester was driven by the opportunity to collaborate with C. Ola Landgren, M.D., Ph.D. , Sylvester Myeloma Institute director and a world-renowned myeloma clinician and clinical trialist.

“Dr. Landgren has built a robust portfolio of clinical trials here, and the ability to pair those with biobanked samples and correlative science is incredibly powerful,” said Dr. Walker. “It’s more impactful than basic research alone—we’re translating discovery directly into patient care.”

At Sylvester, Dr. Walker is expanding his work through multiomics studies that integrate whole genome sequencing, DNA methylation, chromatin state analysis and 3D genome topology. His lab also employs cutting-edge single-cell technologies and patient-derived xenograft models to investigate how chromosomal abnormalities and gene mutations influence disease progression and treatment resistance.

Dr. Walker’s Work

One of his most influential contributions to the field was identifying that loss of both copies of the TP53 gene—not just one—is a key marker of ultra-high-risk myeloma. This discovery has since been incorporated into international risk stratification guidelines and continues to shape how clinicians define and treat high-risk disease.

“He is a world-class researcher with a focus on genomics and epigenetics in myeloma,” said Dr. Landgren. “He has published seminal papers showing how the disease evolves from precursor disease to cancer, how mechanisms of response and resistance work, and he has developed models for precision medicine in myeloma. He is a lab-based researcher with a stellar track record. He is also a very kind person and a great team player. We are very excited to have him on the team.”

Background

Originally from near Edinburgh, Scotland, Dr. Walker’s path to cancer research began with a love of biology sparked by a high school teacher. After earning his doctoral degree in immunology, he pursued postdoctoral work in London, where he joined a pioneering lab focused on applying emerging genomic technologies to cancer. His career has since taken him from London to Little Rock, Arkansas and then to Indiana University before joining Sylvester in 2025.

With his arrival, Sylvester continues to strengthen its position as a national leader in cancer research and care. “We’re not just treating cancer,” says Dr. Walker. “We’re redefining how it’s understood.”