Dr. Soon Hon Cheong was a distinguished veterinarian, scientist, and educator whose life’s work advanced reproductive medicine across species and disciplines. He earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Universiti Putra Malaysia and completed advanced clinical training and a PhD in Comparative Biomedical Sciences at Cornell University. Joining the faculty of Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2012, Dr. Cheong rose to become Full Professor of Reproductive Medicine and long-standing Section Chief of Theriogenology at the Cornell University Hospital for Animals. From 2021 to 2024, he also served as Director of the Cornell Equine Park, where his academic leadership was matched by hands-on clinical excellence.

An internationally recognized authority in theriogenology and assisted reproductive technologies, Dr. Cheong authored more than 70 peer-reviewed scientific publications, including influential work in PNAS, Nature Communications, Biology of Reproduction, and Development. His research bridged fundamental biology and clinical practice across dairy, equine, canine, and conservation medicine, leaving a lasting impact on embryo biology, cryopreservation, uterine health, and innovative fertility technologies. He was a devoted teacher and mentor to generations of students, residents, and fellows, and a generous collaborator whose influence extended far beyond his own laboratory.

Above all, Dr. Cheong will be remembered as a devoted husband, a loving father of three, and a respected mentor. His curiosity, generosity, and unwavering commitment to excellence shaped both the field of reproductive medicine and the many lives he touched. His legacy lives on through his family, his trainees, and the enduring impact of his scientific and clinical contributions.