Faculty

Professor Dr Cheong Sok Ching is a molecular biologist focused on translating fundamental cancer biology into clinically actionable strategies. She is the Chief Scientific Officer of Cancer Research Malaysia, a non-profit research organisation dedicated to improving cancer outcomes for Asian populations. Her research explores cancer dependencies and vulnerabilities using functional genomics and immunology, particularly in under-studied regional cancers.

Over the past two decades, she has led multidisciplinary teams integrating laboratory discovery, translational research, and clinical investigation. Her work utilises genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 screens to identify key genetic drivers and therapeutic targets, informing drug development and rational combination strategies. She also leads the development of therapeutic cancer vaccines and investigator-initiated clinical trials, including pragmatic immunotherapy studies tailored to low- and middle-income settings. In addition, she spearheaded MeMoSA, an AI-enabled platform for oral cancer screening and early detection.

Professor Cheong is a Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia and The World Academy of Sciences, a recipient of multiple international awards, and a regular reviewer for national and international research funding agencies.