Biography

University of Toronto St. George Campus - Science

Emeritus Professor of Cell and Systems Biology at University of Toronto
Higher Education
J. J. Berry
Smith
Toronto, Canada Area
Berry received his bachelor and doctoral degrees from the University of Cambridge, England. He joined the University of Toronto where he was a professor of Zoology and then Cell and Systems Biology until his recent retirement. He considers himself multi-faceted, having been successful in research, teaching and university administration during his career, while also helping raise two sons and pursuing interests in music, photography, gardening, old houses, computer programming, dogs, wine and craft beer.
He has considerable creative and administrative experience, having served while at the University of Toronto as Vice-Dean, Sciences in the Faculty of Arts and Science, Interim Chair of his Department, Director of the undergraduate Human Biology Program, and Vice-Dean, Students in the School of Graduate Studies, as well as numerous University, Faculty and Departmental committees. His creative achievements include rescuing the Faculty Club from financial ruin, establishing a major undergraduate computing facility, introducing computerisation to the Dean’s Office in the Faculty of Arts and Science, redesigning the 2000-student Human Biology program, and establishing a new program in professional skills development for graduate students.
Retiring to Elora in 2012, he helps his wife Gail Richardson foster golden retrievers, gardens, and works on various projects at home and cottage. He is also honing his photography skills; his portfolio may be seen at Berry Smith Images.