The Ohio State University Board of Trustees has appointed Ravi V. Bellamkonda as its 18th president, recognizing his extensive contributions to academia and groundbreaking research in bioengineering and neuroscience.
COLUMBUS, OH – The Ohio State University Board of Trustees has officially appointed Ravi V. Bellamkonda as the 18th president in the institution’s history.
Bellamkonda, an internationally recognized bioengineer and neuroscientist, has been serving as the university’s executive vice president and provost since early 2025. His promotion to the presidency comes after a distinguished career marked by significant leadership in higher education and pioneering medical research.
As provost, Bellamkonda was responsible for overseeing all 15 colleges at Ohio State, along with its regional campuses and the University Libraries. He collaborated closely with the University Senate and various governance bodies to foster academic excellence and innovation. Upon his appointment, Bellamkonda characterized Ohio State as a “nation-leading academic powerhouse,” emphasizing its unique ability to achieve ambitious goals that many other institutions find challenging.
Bellamkonda’s academic credentials are impressive. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Osmania University, a PhD from Brown University, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Prior to his tenure at Ohio State, he was the provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at Emory University, where he initiated programs focused on artificial intelligence and enhancing student success. His leadership experience also includes serving as the Vinik Dean of the Pratt School of Engineering at Duke University and chairing the joint Department of Biomedical Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology.
In addition to his administrative accomplishments, Bellamkonda is a distinguished researcher. His laboratory developed the tumor monorail, an innovative device designed for the treatment of brain tumors. This groundbreaking technology earned the National Institutes of Health Director’s Transformative Research Award and received recognition from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Bellamkonda is an elected fellow of several prestigious scientific societies and holds 11 U.S. patents. He resides in the Ohio State community with his wife, Dr. Lalita Kaligotla, and their family.
According to India-West, Bellamkonda’s appointment marks a significant milestone for the university as it continues to advance its mission in education and research.