Besharah, Toshka
Biography:
Olympian and fourth-year Translational and Molecular Medicine student at the University of Ottawa, bringing a unique combination of high-performance sport, academic excellence, and leadership to every environment she joins. Now in her sixth year on the Canadian National Canoe Kayak Team, she balances elite athletic commitments with a rigorous academic schedule, demonstrating exceptional time management and the ability to thrive under pressure.
A proven achiever for Team Canada, she has earned multiple podium finishes at Senior and Junior World Championships, most recently becoming a 2025 U23 World Champion and competing at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Her experience as a research assistant underscores a deep commitment to advancing modern medicine, while her public speaking engagements reflect strong communication skills across diverse audiences.
Passionate about building an identity beyond one title, she is committed to community service, with over 85 volunteer hours at the Civic Hospital and 90+ tutoring hours that helped raise over $13,000 for CHEO in 2024. She is driven by the belief that even the most ambitious goals—in sport, science, or life—are attainable through dedication, resilience, and a world-class work ethic.
Research areas of interest:
Womens health in sport
Research Themes:
Sexual and Reproductive Health