1954
Born to parents Guangji Chen and Chaoping Jiang.
1972
Is employed at a fabric store in Shanghai, China, until 1977.
1981
Earns a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at Peking University; Immigrates to the United States.
1983
Is a member of the American Chemical Society through today.
1986
Earns a PhD in organic chemistry at Lehigh University.
1986
Engages in postdoctoral research in coal chemistry with John Larsen at Lehigh University until 1988.
1988
Is a research chemist at Mobil Research and Development until 1996.
1996
Is a research associate at the Strategic Research Center at Mobil Technology until 2000.
2000
Serves as an advanced research associate for the Exxon Mobil Corporation until 2015.
2003
Earns a Chemical Global Technology Award from the Exxon Mobil Corporation, which she will go on to earn again in 2007.
2004
Marries her husband, Bill.
2008
Earns an R&D Patent Award from the Exxon Mobil Corporation, which she will go on to win again in 2010 and 2012.
2013
Earns a Tribute to Women and Industry (TWIN) Award.
2015
Enters retirement.
2019
By this time, Dr. Cheng has accrued over 71 U.S. patents for various chemical processes.