The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) has announced Dr. Ray Jayawardhana, Provost of Johns Hopkins University and a renowned astrophysicist, as its next President, making him the tenth leader in the Institute’s 105-year history. He is set to assume office on July 1, 2026.
Dr. Jayawardhana is widely recognized for his research on exoplanets, star formation, and planetary systems, and has co-authored more than 180 scientific papers that have received over 10,000 citations. He is also a prominent science communicator and author of books such as Strange New Worlds and Child of the Universe, and has received several prestigious honors, including the Rutherford Medal and the Carl Sagan Medal.
“Caltech empowers brilliant minds to explore important questions with imagination and courage,” Dr. Jayawardhana said. “I am honored to join this remarkable community and to advance research, education, and innovation that serve humanity.”
At Caltech, he plans to strengthen academic programs, expand public engagement, and advance major initiatives at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and global observatories. His appointment follows a months-long international search conducted by Caltech’s Board of Trustees.
