Ray Jayawardhana Appointed Caltech's Tenth President
Caltech••nation
Key Points:
- Caltech has unanimously selected astrophysicist Jay Jayawardhana as its tenth president, effective July 1, 2026, highlighting his pioneering research, academic leadership, and science communication skills as key to advancing the institute's mission and global impact.
- Jayawardhana, currently overseeing Johns Hopkins University's 10 schools, has a strong record of fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, enhancing research infrastructure, and expanding public engagement and partnerships in higher education.
- His scientific work focuses on the origins and evolution of planetary systems and exoplanets, contributing significantly to projects like the James Webb Space Telescope, with over 180 published papers and numerous prestigious awards.
- Jayawardhana emphasizes maintaining Caltech's commitment to fundamental research and education while addressing contemporary
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