Never fear failure.
Those are words Dr. Fereidoon Shahidi lives by – and a belief that’s helped shape his research, pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge.
The University Research Professor in the Department of Human Biosciences in the Faculty of Science is an influential global leader in basic and applied research on food lipids and phenolic antioxidants.
When it comes to research, he says setbacks are not roadblocks.
“Challenges and promises of research satisfy my curiosity and one needs to face these challenges without fear of possible failure, as each failure opens a new road to success. It is a valuable lesson,” he said.
2026 honoree
Dr. Shahidi is among those named 2026 fellows of the prestigious Royal Society of Canada, which was founded in 1882.
He will be officially inducted during a ceremony on Friday, Nov. 13, in Ottawa, Ont.
Hear more about Dr. Shahidi’s research in the video below.
He says he got involved in science and research more than 40 years ago because of his desire to help others.
“As a trained chemist, I was attracted to food chemistry and food bioactive research when I was approached by a group of food engineers that needed help in the chemistry area,” he explained. “I was able to quickly figure out a way to help them and solve an outstanding problem. That was the beginning of my switch to the food and health area.”
Today he’s considered a leading authority on food and nutraceutical science, significantly advancing the discipline at national and international levels.
According to Google Scholar, Dr. Shahidi ranks first globally in the Food Science, Food Chemistry, Agricultural Science, Functional Foods and Food Antioxidants category, with more than 130,000 citations and an h-index exceeding 170, reflecting his exceptional and sustained research impact.
“We must engage in fundamental research . . . so that Canada remains on the map as a leader.”
Over the course of an active career, Dr. Shahidi considers his collaborations with emerging researchers a high point.
“Working with young scientists is quite stimulating and providing them sufficient elbow room to contribute to resolving challenges would lead them to flourish and move ahead. Seeing their success provides a real boost to continue.”
Since science has no borders, he says the global community has benefitted from his team’s research findings.
“We must engage in fundamental research and also consider application areas, whether it is food or non-food sources, to lead and contribute to the growth of the field so that Canada remains on the map as a leader.”
