Cornelledu 2004 Dean of College of Arts and Sciences

Ray Jayawardhana

Distinguished astrophysicist, renowned science author and accomplished bookish leader Ray Jayawardhana has been named the 22nd dean of Cornell's College of Arts and Sciences, Provost Michael Kotlikoff announced June 26.

Currently dean of the Faculty of Science and professor of physics and astronomy at York University in Toronto, Jayawardhana investigates the origins and diversity of planetary systems and the prospects for life in the universe, using the world's largest telescopes. A graduate of Yale and Harvard universities, he is an award-winning writer of science books and articles written for a full general audience.

His five-year date every bit the Harold Tanner Dean of the Higher of Arts and Sciences was approved by the Executive Committee of the Cornell Board of Trustees and is effective Sept. 1. He also has been appointed professor of astronomy.

"Professor Jayawardhana is both academically distinguished and has outstanding experience in bookish leadership," Kotlikoff said. "He is also someone who bridges disciplines hands, having trained broadly with substantial groundwork in the humanities and the advice of science."

Jayawardhana has served as York's chief bookish and authoritative officer of the Faculty of Science since 2014, overseeing a $55 million (Canadian) budget and $xv million in inquiry funding. The Faculty of Scientific discipline comprises five departments, one sectionalization, several research centers, 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students, 150 faculty members and lxxx staff. Previously, he was professor, Canada Research Chair in observational astrophysics, and senior adviser to the president on science engagement at the University of Toronto.

"I am humbled and excited to join the truly outstanding and incredibly vibrant academic community at Cornell's College of Arts and Sciences," Jayawardhana said. "It volition be an honor to serve and back up scholars from a broad range of disciplines who explore – in a variety of means, through a variety of lenses – the human condition and the world around united states of america, engage with the biggest issues of our fourth dimension, and empower the side by side generation of critical thinkers and activity leaders.

"I look forward to collaborating with colleagues in Arts and Sciences and across the entire academy to advance Cornell and its impact," he said.

As dean, Jayawardhana will be the academic, administrative and community leader of Cornell'due south largest college. He'll exist responsible for building the intellectual, fiscal and homo capabilities of the higher; enhancing its reputation, distinction and influence; and improving the quality of the student experience.

Jayawardhana is co-author of more than 125 papers in scientific journals. His enquiry and writing take led to numerous accolades, including a Guggenheim fellowship, a Radcliffe fellowship from Harvard and the Rutherford Medal in Physics from the Royal Society of Canada.

A frequent commentator in the media, he is also a author whose articles have appeared in publications including The Economist, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic and Scientific American.

His volume "Strange New Worlds" was the basis for "The Planet Hunters" television set documentary on the Canadian Broadcasting Corp.; his book "Neutrino Hunters" won the Canadian Science Writers Association'southward Science in Society Book Laurels. An avid traveler, he has visited more than than 55 countries and all vii continents. His travels, for research and writing, take included numerous visits to mountaintop observatories in Chile and Hawaii, a meteorite collecting expedition in Antarctica, a parabolic flight with the European Agency, a solar eclipse hunt in western Mongolia and a descent into a South African mine with geobiologists.

Prior to joining the University of Toronto in 2004, Jayawardhana was a faculty fellow member at the Academy of Michigan and a Miller Inquiry Swain at the University of California, Berkeley.

He earned a Ph.D. degree in astronomy from Harvard University and a Available of Science degree in astronomy and physics from Yale University.

Jayawardhana will succeed Gretchen Ritter '83, dean of the college since 2013. She will extend her service as dean through Aug. 31 and and then render to teaching and research equally professor of regime.

Kotlikoff thanked Ritter for her many achievements. These include bringing Klarman Hall to completion as a home for the humanities, launching a review of the undergraduate curriculum, restructuring the college's advising and admissions offices, overseeing a period of extraordinary hiring and fundraising, and retaining key faculty members.

"The university is deeply grateful for Dean Ritter'south outstanding leadership and service during her tenure," Kotlikoff said.

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Source: https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2018/06/ray-jayawardhana-named-dean-arts-and-sciences