Dr. Ray Jayawardhana Appointed Caltech’s Tenth President
Photo Source: Extract from following You Tube video
Dr. Ray Jayawardhana, a distinguished Sri Lankan-born astrophysicist and respected academic leader, has been appointed as the tenth president of the California Institute of Technology (Caltech)—a historic milestone in the Institute’s 105-year history. He will officially take office on July 1, 2026, succeeding Thomas F. Rosenbaum, who concludes his 12-year tenure in June.
Currently provost and professor of physics and astronomy at Johns Hopkins University, Jayawardhana brings an extraordinary combination of scientific achievement, visionary leadership, and public engagement to his new role. His appointment follows a months-long international search by Caltech’s Board of Trustees, who praised his ability to lead with integrity and creativity at a time of rapid scientific change.
A Visionary Leader for a New Era
Caltech Board of Trustee Chair David W. Thompson described Jayawardhana as “a leader of exceptional distinction” whose commitment to empowering brilliant minds will help propel Caltech into its next chapter of discovery and impact. Jayawardhana has articulated a vision that balances Caltech’s tradition of fundamental research and exploration with a deep commitment to education, innovation, and global engagement.
His priorities include:
Advancing bold, catalytic investments in innovative research ventures on campus and at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).
Enriching the academic experience for undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows.
Caltech Astronomy
Expanding public engagement and outreach, strengthening the Institute’s connection to broader communities through science communication and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Jayawardhana believes that the current moment, marked by accelerating technological shifts and evolving global challenges, calls for Caltech’s distinct contributions in research, education, and societal impact. He has emphasized the value of pursuing discoveries vigorously, sharing knowledge widely, and fostering robust exchanges of ideas.
Academic and Scientific Achievements
Dr. Jayawardhana’s scientific work focuses on the origins and evolution of planets and planetary systems, as well as star and brown dwarf formation, using leading observatories and space-based telescopes. His research has led to over 180 peer-reviewed publications and more than 10,000 citations, underlining his global influence in astrophysics.
Before becoming provost at Johns Hopkins, he held several significant leadership roles:
Harold Tanner Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Cornell University, where he launched initiatives to nurture emerging researchers and broaden interdisciplinary scholarship.
Faculty positions at the University of Toronto, including serving as Canada Research Chair and senior advisor on science engagement.
Beyond his academic leadership, Jayawardhana is a celebrated science communicator and author, having written for major publications such as The Economist, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. His popular science books, including Strange New Worlds and the award-winning Neutrino Hunters, have brought complex scientific concepts to broad audiences.
Global Perspective and Personal Journey
Jayawardhana’s passion for science was sparked in childhood during moments spent gazing at the night sky—a curiosity that grew into a lifelong pursuit of understanding the universe. His story resonates not only as a narrative of personal achievement but also as an embodiment of the global reach of scientific inquiry and collaboration.
In stepping into his new role at Caltech, he acknowledges the legacy of his predecessors and expresses a deep commitment to helping write the next chapter of discovery and innovation at one of the world’s foremost scientific institutions.
This appointment marks a proud moment for Sri Lankans and the international academic community and highlights the vital role of science and education in addressing the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.
Source Acknowledgement
The above write-up was based on information drawn from the following sources:
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) – Official announcement and news releases
https://www.astro.caltech.edu/news/ray-jayawardhana-appointed-caltech-tenth-president
Caltech Kavli Nanoscience Institute (KNI) – Leadership and research profile coverage
https://www.kni.caltech.edu/news/ray-jayawardhana-appointed-caltech-tenth-president
YouTube – Dr. Ray Jayawardhana Appointed Caltech’s Tenth President (official Caltech video)
Publicly available biographical and academic information relating to Dr. Ray Jayawardhana
