Andrew Beharry

Andrew Beharry is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical & Physical Sciences at the University of Toronto Mississauga. His research focuses on developing small molecule probes for cancer biology, including fluorescent chemosensors for drug resistance assessment and activatable photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy (PDT). His lab integrates chemical synthesis, biochemical assays, and in vivo models to create diagnostic tools and treatment platforms that address limitations of conventional cancer therapies.

Education & Training:

• B.Sc. (Honours) in Chemistry and Biology, York University (2006)
• Ph.D. in Chemistry, University of Toronto (2012)
• Postdoctoral Fellow, Stanford University (2013–2016), funded by the Human Frontier Science Program

Research Interests:

Beharry’s lab bridges chemistry and biology to tackle cancer challenges. Key areas include:

• Fluorescent Chemosensors: Rapid, accurate assays for anticancer drug resistance mechanisms (e.g., DNA repair enzymes, cell death pathways).
• Activatable Photosensitizers: Cancer-selective PDT agents that enable real-time imaging and therapy via biomarker activation.
• Fluorescence-Guided Therapies: Combining PDT with surgical imaging to reduce cancer recurrence.

Achievements & Funding:

• Recipient of NSERC Discovery Grant (2017–2022), Connaught New Researcher Award (2017–2019), and Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada Grant (2021–2023).
• Over 50 publications in high-impact journals like J. Am. Chem. Soc., ACS Med. Chem. Lett., and Biochemistry.

Labs & Teams:

The Beharry Lab collaborates with institutions globally, focusing on translational research from bench to clinic. Current projects include enzyme-activatable prodrugs and theranostic agents for precision oncology.