Who is the new president of Caltech?

Ray Jayawardhana, formerly the provost of Johns Hopkins University, has been appointed as the new president of the California Institute of Technology.

When does Ray Jayawardhana start as Caltech president?

Ray Jayawardhana will assume his role as president of Caltech effective July 1.

What is Ray Jayawardhana's background?

Ray Jayawardhana is a distinguished astrophysicist who has served as provost at Johns Hopkins University and held dean positions at Cornell University and York University.

Home / Education / Johns Hopkins Provost Moves to Lead Caltech

Johns Hopkins Provost Moves to Lead Caltech

6 Jan

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Summary

Ray Jayawardhana, current Johns Hopkins provost, will become Caltech's next president.
He starts his new role at Caltech on July 1, succeeding Thomas F. Rosenbaum.
Jayawardhana is a renowned astrophysicist specializing in exoplanets and star formation.

Johns Hopkins Provost Moves to Lead Caltech

Ray Jayawardhana, the current provost of Johns Hopkins University, has accepted the position of president at the California Institute of Technology. His appointment is effective July 1, and he will succeed Thomas F. Rosenbaum, who has led Caltech since 2014. Jayawardhana's leadership at Johns Hopkins, beginning in October 2023, has been instrumental in advancing the university's academic and research missions.

Prior to his role at Johns Hopkins, Jayawardhana held significant academic positions at Cornell University and York University in Toronto, where he was dean and professor of astronomy. He is also an active astrophysicist, contributing research on exoplanets and the origins of stars, and is part of the science team for the James Webb Space Telescope's NIRISS instrument.

Jayawardhana's tenure at Johns Hopkins involved bolstering research initiatives through various grant programs and strengthening administrative procedures. He also played a key role in strategic appointments and advancing university priorities in data science and AI, further extending Hopkins' public engagement and creative reach.