Former University of Michigan President Santa Ono Named Global President of Ellison Institute of Technology

OXFORD, England — Santa Ono, former president of the University of Michigan, has been appointed global president of the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT), a privately funded research organization affiliated with the University of Oxford.

Ono will lead EIT's efforts to develop and expand its science and research programs worldwide. The institute, founded by Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, focuses on critical fields such as health, climate change, food sustainability, and the ethical development of artificial intelligence.

"I look forward to collaborating with EIT's leadership teams worldwide to advance Larry Ellison's bold vision," Ono said in a statement. "I believe this innovative approach represents the most exciting investment in fundamental and applied research globally ... to create solutions to humanity's most pressing challenges."

Ono previously led the Universities of Cincinnati and British Columbia before serving as Michigan's president from 2022 to 2025. Earlier this year, he was nominated by the University of Florida's board as president, but his appointment was blocked by Florida's Board of Governors amid political controversy over his past support of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.