Ravi V. Bellamkonda has been named the 18th president of Ohio State University, placing an accomplished biomedical engineer and academic leader at the helm of one of the largest public research universities in the United States. The appointment marks a significant leadership transition for the university, which serves more than 60,000 students and maintains a global reputation for research, innovation, and public engagement.

Bellamkonda previously served as provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at Ohio State. In that role he oversaw the university’s academic enterprise across its colleges and schools, guiding initiatives related to faculty hiring, research development, academic strategy, and student success. As provost, he played a key role in shaping the institution’s long term academic priorities and strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration across departments.

Ohio State University, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the nation’s most influential public universities. Its research programs span fields including engineering, medicine, agriculture, business, and the social sciences. The university also operates a major academic medical center and maintains partnerships with industry, government, and community organizations throughout the region and beyond.

As president, Bellamkonda will lead the university’s strategic vision, research agenda, and institutional partnerships while representing Ohio State at the national and international level. University presidents are responsible for guiding academic priorities, fundraising, expanding research opportunities, and ensuring the institution continues to serve both students and the broader public.

Before joining Ohio State, Bellamkonda served as provost at Emory University in Atlanta. At Emory he helped strengthen interdisciplinary research and supported initiatives designed to expand collaboration between scientific, medical, and humanities programs. His leadership experience at multiple major research universities helped position him as a strong candidate to lead Ohio State.

Bellamkonda is widely known for his research in biomedical engineering, particularly in the fields of neural engineering and regenerative medicine. His work focuses on developing technologies that support repair and regeneration of damaged nervous system tissue. Researchers in this field aim to improve treatments for conditions such as spinal cord injuries and neurological diseases.

Throughout his academic career, Bellamkonda has published extensively in biomedical engineering and neuroscience journals and has contributed to major advances in understanding neural repair mechanisms. His work has received support from several national research agencies and scientific organizations.

In addition to his research achievements, Bellamkonda has played an active leadership role in the scientific community. He previously served as president of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, a major professional organization representing leaders in biomedical engineering research and innovation.

Bellamkonda’s academic journey began in India. He earned his undergraduate degree from Osmania University before moving to the United States for graduate studies. He later completed a doctorate in biomedical engineering at Brown University and conducted postdoctoral research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

His appointment also reflects the growing presence of South Asian American leaders in U.S. higher education. Over the past two decades, scholars of South Asian heritage have increasingly taken on senior leadership roles including university presidents, provosts, and deans at major institutions across the country.

As president of Ohio State University, Bellamkonda now leads one of the most influential research universities in the United States. His combination of scientific expertise, administrative experience, and global academic perspective positions him to guide the institution through a period of rapid change in higher education and research.

Key Takeaways About Ravi V. Bellamkonda

• Ravi V. Bellamkonda has been named the 18th president of Ohio State University.
• He previously served as provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at the university.
• Bellamkonda is a biomedical engineer known for research in neural engineering and regenerative medicine.
• Earlier in his career he served as provost at Emory University.
• His appointment highlights the growing presence of South Asian American leaders in U.S. higher education.