Sri Lankan-Born Astrophysicist Dr. Ray Jayawardhana Appointed 10th President of Caltech 🎓

• The Appointment: Dr. Ray Jayawardhana has been named the 10th President of the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), effective July 1, 2026. He is the first Sri Lankan-born academic to lead the prestigious 105-year-old institution. • Professional Background: He currently serves as the Provost of Johns Hopkins University, overseeing 10 schools and key initiatives like the Data Science and AI Institute. His leadership has been central to interdisciplinary research and global academic outreach. • Scientific Achievement: A world-renowned astrophysicist, Dr. Jayawardhana specializes in exoplanets and star formation. He has co-authored 180+ refereed papers with over 10,000 citations. He is a core team member for the James Webb Space Telescope’s NIRISS instrument. • Sri Lankan Roots: His interest in space began in his childhood in Sri Lanka, fueled by stargazing with his father. He has since become a major voice in science communication, authoring several books including Strange New Worlds and Neutrino Hunters. • Economic & Global Impact: This high-profile appointment highlights the global reach of the Sri Lankan diaspora in ICT/BPM, Science, and Education sectors, reinforcing the country's potential for high-level intellectual exports. 📈 • Vision for Caltech: Jayawardhana plans to focus on bold investments in the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), global observatories, and expanding public engagement with science.