The Presidential Search
Dr. Ray Jayawardhana Appointed Caltech's Tenth President
Dr. Ray Jayawardhana, an accomplished academic leader and renowned astrophysicist who currently serves as provost of Johns Hopkins University, has been named Caltech's next president, the tenth in the Institute's 105-year history.
Jayawardhana's appointment by Caltech's Board of Trustees, announced on January 6, 2026 at a community-wide gathering on the Institute's Pasadena campus, was the result of a months-long international search.
"Ray is a leader of exceptional distinction who brings a complement of qualities—as a pioneering astrophysics researcher, respected university administrator, and compelling science communicator—that together will ensure Caltech builds on its legacy of transformational research and exploration to benefit humanity," says Caltech Board of Trustee Chair David W. Thompson (MS '78). "The Board's unanimous decision reflects our confidence in Ray's ability to chart Caltech's future—advancing our mission, inspiring our community, and elevating the Institute's global impact."
Jayawardhana will assume his new position on July 1, 2026.
At Caltech, Jayawardhana says he will partner with faculty and other stakeholders to advance bold, catalytic investments in innovative ventures on campus, at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), and across the Institute's suite of global observatories; enrich the experience of undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows; and expand the Institute's engagement with the public.
Jayawardhana will succeed Thomas F. Rosenbaum, Caltech's ninth and current president, who concludes his service as president in June 2026 after 12 years in office. Rosenbaum, a professor of physics and the Sonja and William Davidow Presidential Chair, maintained a condensed matter physics research group during his presidency, authoring several dozen research papers and mentoring graduate students and summer undergraduate research fellows throughout his tenure. He will remain on the faculty and continue this research.
Read the full article about Dr. Jayawardhana's appointment on the Caltech website.