A graduate of University of Illinois and Cornell University, Raymond Cook joined UNH's Civil Engineering Department in 1992 and a registered professional engineer in New Hampshire. He is a structural design engineer and expert on designing bridges and buildings in timber, steel, and concrete. He is also knowledgeable about concrete materials and microstructure.

Mr. Cook is able to speak to the media regarding structural distress put on structures by snow, ice, wind, floods, and earthquakes. In the community, he also focuses on undergraduate STEM education, international and domestic exchange programs, and community service. He is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese.