People
Principal Investigator
Soon Hon Cheong
Dr. Cheong received his DVM from University Putra Malaysia. He completed an Internship and a Residency in Ambulatory and Production Medicine before completing a second residency in Theriogenology all at Cornell University becoming board certified with the American College of Theriogenologist. He completed his Ph.D. at Cornell and stayed on as a faculty member.
Lab Manager
Lee Yoke Lee
Fall 2021-Present
Lee is the lab manager at Cheong Lab. She graduated with a Master in Natural Resources from Cornell University in May 2016. She was an environmental educator working on climate change mitigation and equitable access to learning opportunities in sustainability. Lee also has a background in conservation, where she helped communities in Langkawi and Kudat-Banggi protect their marine and coastal habitats through community-based and collaborative management approaches. She is the project lead of the Commons Biodiversity Project, which focuses on providing technical support to grassroots and research institutions in high biodiversity and resource-poor regions.
Lab Technician
Chia-Kuan Wu
Spring 2025-present
Chia-Kuan graduated with a Master’s student at Cornell University focusing on bovine embryo cryo-tolerance after lipid reduction and molecular mechanisms of lipid droplet dynamics in bovine embryo development. He will continue research in ultra-fast and automated vitrification for domestic species embryos. He received his B.S. in Animal Science from National Taiwan University in 2017 and became a human IVF clinic embryologist. He enjoys cooking, badminton, volleyball, and wildlife photography in his leisure time.
Graduate Student
Sabrina Hall
Spring 2025-present
Dr. Hall is a Comparative Theriogenology Resident and Master’s student at Cornell University. She received her doctorate of veterinary medicine from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine and subsequently completed a rotating equine internship at Tennessee Equine Hospital. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, visual and performing arts, and competing in the hunter/jumper ring.
DVM Students
Morgan Rollins
Spring 2022-present
Morgan Rollins is a first-year DVM student at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine interested in advancing the clinical applications of Assistive Reproductive Technology (ART). She received her B.S. in Pre-Veterinary Science with honors and a Certificate of Integrative Concentration in STEM from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in January 2024. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and crocheting.
Natalie Smith
Spring 2022-present
Natalie is a second year veterinary student at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine interested in pursuing a career in conservation medicine. Her career aspirations include wildlife and international medicine, using theriogenology to branch in situ and ex situ conservation initiatives in order to protect endangered species around the world, especially rhinos, big cats, and red pandas (her favorite animals)! She graduated with her B.S. in Biomedical Science: Medical and Veterinary Sciences with honors from University of New Hampshire in May 2022. She is on the E-board for both ZAWS and Theriogenology Club at the vet school, and outside of school, enjoys traveling, exploring new places, and spending time with her cat, Norbert!
Undergraduates
Claire Kim
Spring 2022-present
Claire is a senior at Cornell University in the College of Arts and Sciences, studying biological sciences with a minor in human development. Currently on the pre-med track, she has spent her past summers volunteering at her local hospital and receiving a Standard First Aid, CPR, and AED certification. On campus, she is involved in RCPRS, Smart is Strong Foundation, and KASA. Her other interests include going to the movies, trying new coffee drinks, and traveling.
Laidlaw Scholars
Jennifer Owiyo
Summer 2024 and Summer 2025
My name is Jennifer Owiyo, I am a Sophomore studying Biology in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell. I am from Kenya, a country located in the coast of East Africa. I have always been interested in conservation and ways to protect our marine environment. I am very grateful and honored to be a part of this team.
Marina Blackman
Summer 2024 and Summer 2025
Hello! My name is Marina Blackman (she/her) and I am from Columbia, Maryland. I will be a junior in fall of 2024 at Cornell University, and I am majoring in Biological Sciences with a concentration in Marine Biology. I have always loved the ocean and marine life, so getting hands-on Marine Biology research opportunities is so exciting to me! With this, I am so excited to join the Commons Biodiversity Project, learn more about how we can use eDNA barcoding to monitor the Crocus clam, and immerse myself in marine stewardship in Malaysia!
Paige Yun
Summer 2024 and Summer 2025
Hello! My name is Paige and I am a rising sophomore at Cornell University. I am studying electrical and computer engineering and computer science and am extremely grateful for the opportunity to work on the Commons Biodiversity Project!