Santa Ono Appointed Global President of Ellison Institute

News Summary

Santa Ono has been appointed as the Global President of the Ellison Institute of Technology, effective immediately. He will work closely with Sir John Bell to advance scientific research in health, sustainable agriculture, and clean energy. This significant leadership role follows Ono’s brief tenure at the University of Michigan, where he faced various challenges. The Ellison Institute, founded with a $200 million donation from Larry Ellison, aims to tackle global issues through innovative research and collaboration across its campuses in Los Angeles and Oxford.

Los Angeles – Santa Ono has been appointed as the Global President of the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT), a significant move in the landscape of global scientific research. The announcement comes as Ono shifts from his previous role as president of the University of Michigan, where he faced considerable challenges during his brief tenure of just two and a half years.

Ono’s new responsibilities will see him collaborating closely with Sir John Bell, who serves as the President of EIT Oxford, to enhance and broaden science programs within the institute’s Oxford campus. EIT, established in 2016, focuses on pioneering research in critical areas such as health, sustainable agriculture, clean energy, and artificial intelligence. This organization was founded by Larry Ellison, the co-founder of Oracle Corp., who donated $200 million to launch the institute.

The Ellison Institute boasts campuses in Los Angeles and Oxford, England, with Ono expected to spearhead global initiatives and align research strategies across both locations. His appointment is particularly relevant as EIT aims to develop solutions that address persistent global challenges through scientific advancement.

Ono has built a reputation for his expertise in immune system and eye disease research, making him a fitting choice for the leadership role. He has expressed enthusiasm about his new position and opportunities for collaboration with EIT’s leadership teams worldwide as they work to address pressing issues through innovative research.

Ono’s appointment at EIT coincides with his departure from the University of Michigan earlier this year. He resigned from his post in May 2023 after being selected as the sole finalist for the presidency of the University of Florida, but the Florida Board of Governors ultimately rejected his nomination due to concerns about his liberal views on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

During his brief time at the University of Michigan, Ono’s presidency faced multiple crises, including the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, a graduate student strike, a scandal involving the football program, and various protests linked to the Gaza War. As a result, his tenure was marked by substantial turmoil, making it the shortest in the university’s history.

Prior to leading the University of Michigan, Ono served as president of the University of British Columbia and held a comparable position at the University of Cincinnati, where he built a solid academic and administrative background.

The Ellison Institute of Technology, with its innovative approach to scientific research, aims to generate commercially sustainable answers to some of the world’s enduring challenges in health, medical science, food security, clean energy, and artificial intelligence. With a strong foundation backed by Ellison’s substantial wealth, estimated at $294 billion by Forbes, the institute stands poised for significant advancements in these critical fields.

Sir John Bell has expressed optimism about Ono’s leadership capabilities, emphasizing the collective collaboration that will unfold as they work together at EIT. Meanwhile, Ono’s previous agreements at the University of Michigan included an annual compensation of $2 million, and while specifics regarding his salary at EIT are not fully disclosed, industry surveys suggest it may be lower, aligning with compensation trends at nonprofit research institutions.

The prospect of Ono’s leadership at EIT comes in the wake of a turbulent exit from the academic spotlight, raising interest as to how his background and experiences will influence the institute’s operations and objectives in the upcoming years.

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