Terrance (Terry) J. Beveridge has fundamentally contributed to the understanding of the structure and function of bacteria.

Beveridge was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. His early schooling was also in that city. He graduated with a B.Sc. from the University of Toronto in 1968, a Dip. Bact. in 1969, and an M.Sc. in oral microbiology in 1970. Intending to become a dentist, he was drawn to biological research instead. This interest led him to the University of Western Ontario laboratory of Dr. Robert Murray, where he completed his Ph.D. dissertation in 1974.

His Ph.D. research focused on the use of various techniques to probe the structure of bacteria. In particular, he developed an expertise in electron microscopy. His research interest in the molecular structure of bacteria was carried on in his appointment as an Assistant Professor at the University of Guelph in 1975. He became an Associate Professor in...