The University of Florida Presidential Search Committee has unanimously recommended Dr. Santa J. Ono, president of the University of Michigan, as the sole finalist to become the university’s 14th president.

Dr. Ono has served as president of the University of Michigan since 2022 and previously held leadership roles as president and vice chancellor of the University of British Columbia, president of the University of Cincinnati, and senior vice provost at Emory University. He earned a Ph.D. in experimental medicine from McGill University and a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from the University of Chicago. His academic appointments have included positions at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Harvard University, and University College London.

The decision was announced Saturday by Presidential Search Committee Chair Rahul Patel, who said Dr. Ono was selected for his record of academic leadership, institutional advancement, and administrative experience at top-tier research universities.

“Throughout an extensive and thorough process, we sought a leader who could match UF’s extraordinary momentum, understand its role as the flagship university of one of the most dynamic states in the country, and inspire our community to reach even greater heights,” said Patel. “Dr. Ono’s proven record of academic excellence, innovation and collaborative leadership at world-class institutions made him our unanimous choice. We are confident he is the right person to build on UF’s strong foundation and help realize our bold vision for the future.”

An internationally recognized researcher in immunology and ophthalmology, Dr. Ono is a member of several national and international scientific academies, including the National Academy of Medicine, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the Royal Society of Chemistry. He currently chairs the Council of Presidents of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities and serves on the boards of the American Council on Education, the Council on Competitiveness, and Fulbright Canada.

The recommendation will next be considered by the University of Florida Board of Trustees. If approved, Dr. Ono’s appointment will be subject to confirmation by the Florida Board of Governors, in accordance with state law. He is scheduled to visit the UF campus in Gainesville on May 6 for meetings with students, faculty, and university officials.

UF Board Chair Mori Hosseini expressed support for the committee’s recommendation and said the board remains committed to elevating the university’s national and global profile.

This is a great day for the University of Florida and the State of Florida,” he said. “UF is on an extraordinary trajectory, and the Board remains fully committed to seeing UF become not only the best public university in the nation, but also one of the most influential institutions of higher learning in the country. I fully support this unanimous recommendation and am confident in Dr. Ono’s ability to guide UF to even greater success. We look forward to welcoming Dr. Ono, his wife Wendy Yip, and their daughters Juliana and Sarah to the Gator Nation.”