Santa J. Ono

Santa J. Ono is the 15th president of the University of Michigan (U-M), a position he has held since October 2022. Born on November 23, 1962, he is a Canadian-American immunologist and academic administrator known for his significant contributions to vision research, particularly in understanding the immune system and eye diseases.13

Education and Early Career

Ono earned his Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences from the University of Chicago in 1984 and completed his Ph.D. in Experimental Medicine at McGill University in 1991. His academic career includes teaching positions at prestigious institutions such as Johns Hopkins University, Harvard University, and University College London.123

Previous Positions

Before joining U-M, Ono served as:

• President and Vice Chancellor of the University of British Columbia (UBC) from 2016 to 2022, where he was influential in Canadian higher education.
• President of the University of Cincinnati from 2012 to 2016, notable for being the first Asian-American president of that institution.
• Senior Vice Provost at Emory University, where he oversaw various academic affairs.123

Leadership Roles

Ono holds several leadership roles:

• Chair of the U-M Health Board.
• Chair of Fulbright Canada.
• Chair of the University Climate Change Coalition (UC3). He is also involved with various boards and councils related to higher education and public universities.12

Achievements and Recognition

Ono has received numerous accolades throughout his career, including election to prestigious organizations like the National Academy of Medicine and the American Academy of Arts & Sciences. He has been recognized for his contributions to science with awards such as the Helen Hay Whitney Fellowship and multiple honorary doctorates.23

Recent Developments

Under his leadership, U-M has embarked on initiatives like "Vision 2034," aiming to enhance its role as a leading public university through innovation and community engagement. His tenure has also been marked by significant salary increases and contract extensions reflecting confidence in his leadership.34

Ono's presidency has not been without controversy; he faced protests related to labor issues during his inauguration and has had to navigate complex social issues affecting university dynamics.3