Ohio State University has appointed Indian American engineer, Ravi V. Bellamkonda as its next executive vice president and provost, effective Jan. 14, 2025, pending Board of Trustees approval.
Bellamkonda, a biomedical engineer and academic leader, currently holds the role of provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at Emory University.
“Dr. Bellamkonda’s exemplary record in research, teaching, and leadership makes him an ideal choice to drive our academic mission forward,” said Ohio State president Walter “Ted” Carter Jr. “His collaborative approach and dedication to academic excellence will be instrumental in shaping our strategic vision for the future.”
In his new role, Bellamkonda will oversee Ohio State’s academic programs and initiatives, with deans of all 15 academic colleges and University Libraries reporting to him. As a member of the president’s cabinet, he will work closely with leaders from the Wexner Medical Center and other key university units.
Bellamkonda’s career is marked by significant achievements, including his role in advancing interdisciplinary research and faculty recruitment at Emory, where he launched initiatives in fields like artificial intelligence and humanities.
His work at Duke University, where he served as Vinik Dean of the Pratt School of Engineering, saw annual research funding grow from $68 million to over $100 million and the establishment of the Duke Quantum Center and the Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies.
“I believe deeply in the mission of higher education and its role in research and community engagement,” Bellamkonda said. “Ohio State is a leading land-grant institution, and I am excited to join its distinguished faculty, staff, and students in pursuit of academic excellence under president Carter’s leadership.”
Bellamkonda has been awarded multiple honors, including a National Institutes of Health Director’s Transformative Research Award. His lab’s development of the tumor monorail device—a breakthrough technology for brain tumor treatment—was recognized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and he is the scientific founder of Exvade Bioscience, advancing clinical trials for the device.
John J. Warner, co-chair of the university’s search committee, praised Bellamkonda’s contributions, stating, “Dr. Bellamkonda’s exceptional achievements and collegial spirit make him a remarkable addition to Ohio State.”
Bellamkonda will succeed interim provost Karla Zadnik, who will continue her role as interim dean of the College of Public Health during the transition.
Carter expressed gratitude to Zadnik, saying, “Dr. Zadnik has been an invaluable partner and will work closely with Dr. Bellamkonda as he assumes his new role.”
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