2018 Jun 27
A prolific researcher with more than 120 scientific papers to his credit, Ray Jayawardhana has been named the 22nd dean of Cornell’s College of Arts and Sciences, as confirmed on the 26th of June.
A distinguished astrophysicist, award-winning writer, and accomplished academic, his discoveries have garnered widespread attention over the years. A graduate of Yale and Harvard, Jayawardhana currently investigates the origins and diversity of planetary systems and the prospects for life in the universe, using the world’s largest telescopes. The scientist is currently dean of the Faculty of Science and professor of physics and astronomy at York University in Toronto.
He earned a Ph.D. degree in astronomy from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Science degree in astronomy and physics from Yale University. His articles have appeared in publications including The Economist, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic and Scientific American.
Further appointed as a professor of Astronomy, this achievement is indeed incredible. Jayawardhana has served as York’s chief academic and administrative officer of the Faculty of Science since 2014. Speaking with the media, he said “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 will be an honor to serve and support scholars from a broad range of disciplines who explore – in a variety of ways, through a variety of lenses – the human condition and the world around us, engage with the biggest issues of our time, and empower the next generation of critical thinkers and action leaders.”
His responsibilities will be many, including maintaining the quality and standard of professional work and environment within the coveted university. Jayawardhana is indeed contributing invaluably to the field of science. Find out more here.
