Uppala Chandrasekera, a PhD student at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, was one of 14 Ontarians celebrated at the 2026 Lieutenant Governors’ Legacy Awards ceremony on September 14. She is one of two recipients of the Hilary M. Weston Scholarship, which recognizes graduate social work students for contributions to mental health research.
She is a social worker with over 20 years of experience in the health sector. From 2022 to 2025 she was Director of Public Health at Toronto Public Health, and she has also held a public policy leadership role at the Canadian Mental Health Association.
Her doctoral research looks at expanding the role of social work in response to the drug toxicity crisis, and a recent article in the Australian Social Work Journal examines policy barriers and opportunities for legislative reform. She says she is honoured to receive the award.
Reported from Uppala Chandrasekera receives a Lieutenant Governors’ Legacy Award for her contribution to mental health research (Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work news, September 17, 2026).
More from the original reporting: socialwork.utoronto.ca/news/uppala-chandrasekera-receives-a-lieutenant-governors-legacy-award-for-her-contribution-to-mental-health-research/