In a statement, trustees Chair David W. Thompson said that \u201cthe board\u2019s unanimous decision reflects our confidence in Ray\u2019s ability to chart Caltech\u2019s future \u2014 advancing our mission, inspiring our community, and elevating the Institute\u2019s global impact.\u201d<\/p>\n
Thompson called Jayawardhana \u201ca leader of exceptional distinction who brings a complement of qualities \u2014 as a pioneering astrophysics researcher, respected university administrator, and compelling science communicator \u2014 that together will ensure Caltech builds on its legacy of transformational research and exploration to benefit humanity.\u201d<\/p>\n
Born in Sri Lanka, Jayawardhana has been in his role at Johns Hopkins since 2023. He was previously at Cornell University, where he became the College of Arts and Sciences dean in 2018 after four years as a science, physics and astronomy professor at York University in Toronto. <\/p>\n
Jayawardhana, who has also held positions at the University of Toronto, University of Michigan and UC Berkeley, has a PhD in astronomy from Harvard University and completed his undergraduate studies at Yale.<\/p>\n
Research universities face challenges<\/p>\n
Jayawardhana acknowledged the federal funding challenges facing Caltech and other major research institutions, as well as rapid developments in artificial intelligence and other technological advancements that are changing the higher education landscape.<\/p>\n
In June, the campus joined 14 universities and education organizations in suing the Trump administration over a policy to reduce overhead funding grants from the National Science Foundation and other agencies that could cost Caltech up to $70 million a year in losses.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are in a moment of inflection; one marked by dramatic change and immense possibility,\u201d he said in a statement. \u201cIt\u2019s a moment that calls for Caltech\u2019s distinct contributions and leadership.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said his goal is to \u201cstay true to Caltech\u2019s North Star of fundamental research and exploration integrated deeply with education.\u201d <\/p>\n
Jayawardhana said Caltech\u2019s achievements are rooted in its \u201cdeceptively simple formula: empowering brilliant minds to explore important questions with imagination and courage and making bold commitments to efforts others might consider too risky or far-fetched.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Inside](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767732252_671_.jpeg\")
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The Resnick Sustainability Center at Caltech, designed by Yazdani Studio of CannonDesign, is a research space that brings together scientists and engineers.<\/p>\n
(Michael Moran)<\/p>\n
In selecting Jayawardhana \u2014 an expert in the origins of planets and planetary systems \u2014 Caltech leaders said they sought someone with deep academic and administrative experience. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe heard that the community was looking for a strong communicator; an individual who has a record of leading with integrity, courage, and creativity; a leader who possesses the ability to be an effective steward of JPL,\u201d said Jonas Zmuidzinas, a professor of physics and search committee chair.<\/p>\n
President Rosenbaum\u2019s legacy<\/p>\n
Rosenbaum, who has lead the university for a dozen years, will remain as a faculty member.<\/p>\n
Under his leadership, Caltech\u2019s endowment doubled to more than $4.1 billion. Rosenbaum oversaw a five-year capital campaign in 2016 that raised $3.4 billion from 14,500 donors; more than half those funds went toward the endowment.<\/p>\n
In a major scientific breakthrough in 2015, Caltech and MIT scientists at the vaunted LIGO lab<\/a> \u2014 short for Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory \u2014 for the first time detected gravitational waves from the collision of two black holes, fulfilling a prediction Albert Einstein made a century prior. The scientists received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2017.<\/p>\n Rosenbaum guided the campus through financial and enrollment challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic and saw Caltech institute new diversity recruitment efforts. In fall 2024, the university made history: For the first time, more than half the new undergraduate class were women. <\/p>\n Rosenbaum also saw the university through additional challenges.<\/p>\n In July 2025, Caltech said it would end its relationship<\/a> with the e-learning company Simplilearn. A class-action lawsuit alleged the firm and the university misrepresented a cybersecurity boot camp and misled students by suggesting the course had close ties to the Pasadena campus and instructors, even though the connection was minimal.<\/p>\n In 2021, Rosenbaum announced that Caltech would remove the name of its founder<\/a> \u2014 Robert A. Millikan \u2014 from \u201ccampus buildings, assets, and honors\u201d along with five other historic Caltech figures because of their affiliation with the racist eugenics movement.<\/p>\n