SUNY’s new provost begins duties in November

ALBANY, N.Y. — He earned his doctorate in mechanical engineering from Syracuse University and will begin new duties as SUNY’s executive vice chancellor for academic affairs and provost on Nov. 6.

The SUNY board of trustees appointed Melur (Ram) Ramasubramanian to the role. 

In addition, the board of directors of the SUNY Research Foundation also approved Ramasubramanian as president of the SUNY Research Foundation, SUNY said in a news release. 

The SUNY board of trustees and SUNY Research Foundation (RF) board of directors unified these leadership roles “in recognition of the seamless integration necessary to achieve SUNY’s ambitious academic, research, and scholarship goals,” SUNY said.

“We are excited to welcome Dr. Ramasubramanian as he joins SUNY to help us push academic excellence to new heights and advance upward mobility for our students and communities,” the SUNY Board of Trustees said. “At the same time, we are grateful to Dr. F. Shadi Shahedipour-Sandvik for her outstanding work and partnership as interim provost in addition to her roles in research and as a faculty member.” 

Ramasubramanian recently served as VP for research at the University of Virginia and professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering.

In reaction to the appointment, SUNY Chancellor John King, Jr said, “Dr. Ramasubramanian came to our country with few financial resources but an incredible drive to get the most from his education. He is an inspiration to first-generation college students like himself and to every student taking advantage of what an excellent education at SUNY can provide.” 

Ramasubramanian is a “first-generation graduate who arrived in the United States with modest financial resources” after earning his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the National Institute of Technology in Durgapur, India, the release stated. He received a master’s degree in applied science from Miami University and before earning his doctorate at Syracuse University.

Ramasubramanian said he is “honored” that SUNY appointed him to this leadership role. 

“This is an exciting opportunity to have a direct impact on upward mobility for students and the growth of research at this tremendous scale,” he added. “I am grateful to SUNY Board Chairman Merryl Tisch, Research Foundation Board Chairman Daniel Tomson, the entire Board of Trustees of SUNY and the RF, and Chancellor King for their support. I am ready to get started with Chancellor King and the team of senior leaders, faculty, and staff to make SUNY the best system of higher education.”