Professor Gast, the first woman to lead Imperial as President, died on 27 October 2025.
Under her transformational presidency between 2014 and 2022, Imperial became a champion of collaboration, innovation and internationalism, standing firm on international values in the face of Brexit and geopolitical uncertainty, and forming a series of new overseas partnerships. She also drove a step change in Imperial support for entrepreneurs, particularly – but far from exclusively – women.
Speaking in 2019, she said: “We are international. Our international community, our collaborations, our partnerships and our own experiences in other cultures and places have an immeasurable and profound effect on the world.”
Current President Hugh Brady says: “I still remember, with gratitude, her generosity and wise counsel before I took the reins from her at Imperial. I especially remember her passion and excitement for the White City Campus, which is going from strength to strength and will for ever form an important part of her legacy to Imperial. This was just one of the many groundbreaking initiatives she introduced that figured prominently in our transition conversations.”
"I especially remember her passion and excitement for the White City Campus, which will for ever form an important part of her legacy."