Andrew Beharry (supplied image)
Andrew Beharry recognized by Chemical Institute of Canada
Published: January 8, 2026
Andrew Beharry, an associate professor in the department of chemical and physical sciences at U of T Mississauga, has been recognized with the 2026 X-Chem Research Excellence Award presented by the Chemical Institute of Canada.
The award recognizes scientists who have made distinguished contributions to medicinally relevant organic or biophysical chemistry in Canada.
Beharry’s research program lies at the interface of synthetic organic chemistry, biochemistry, biophysics and cell biology. His lab develops small molecule fluorescent chemosensors for enzymes involved in anticancer drug resistance and for fluorescence-guided surgery of tumours, as well as novel photoactive therapeutic agents against cancers.
"This award is meaningful because it acknowledges my scientific enthusiasm, ambition and devotion to my research program over the nine years I’ve been a professor," Beharry said. "Going forward, I plan to challenge myself by designing new molecules and strategies that kill cancer in completely different ways than what is currently out there. Though I am still learning to be innovative in such a way, given that the reward is high, my motivation keeps driving me to get there one day."
