Alice Gast facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alice Gast
FREng
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Speaking at the World Economic Forum's Global Technology Governance Summit 2021
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| 16th President of Imperial College London | |
| In office September 1, 2014 – July 31, 2022 |
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| Preceded by | Keith O'Nions |
| Succeeded by | Hugh Brady |
| 13th President of Lehigh University | |
| In office 2006–2014 |
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| Preceded by | Gregory C. Farrington |
| Succeeded by | Kevin L. Clayton (acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Alice Petry Gast
May 25, 1958 Houston, Texas, US |
| Spouse | Bradley J. Askins |
| Children | 2 |
| Residences | London, England |
| Alma mater | University of Southern California (BS) Princeton University (MA, PhD) |
| Profession | Academic, researcher |
| Website | https://www.imperial.ac.uk/people/alice.gast |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | chemical engineering |
| Institutions | |
| Thesis | A study of polymer-induced phase transitions in colloidal suspensions (1984) |
| Doctoral advisors | William B. Russel Carol K. Hall |
Alice Petry Gast (born May 25, 1958) is an American researcher and leader. She was the 16th president of Imperial College London. She also serves on the board of directors for Chevron. The American Institute of Chemical Engineers named her one of the top 100 "Modern Era" engineers in the US. They recognized her for her strong leadership skills.
Contents
- Becoming a Leader: Alice Gast's Journey
- Personal Life
Becoming a Leader: Alice Gast's Journey
Early Life and Education
Alice Gast was born in Houston, Texas, USA. She was a very bright student. In 1980, she graduated at the top of her class from the University of Southern California. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering.
She continued her studies at Princeton University. There, she earned her Master's degree in 1981 and her PhD in chemical engineering in 1984. Her PhD research focused on how certain tiny particles behave in liquids.
From Professor to University President
After finishing her PhD, Dr. Gast spent a year in Paris, France, doing more research. From 1985 to 2001, she taught at Stanford University. Later, she moved to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). At MIT, she was a vice president, helping to guide research.
In 2006, she became the president of Lehigh University. She led Lehigh University for eight years.
Research Focus: Tiny Particles and Liquids
Dr. Gast's research looked at how surfaces and liquids interact. She studied how tiny particles group together. She also explored how proteins and fats behave on surfaces. She even studied how enzymes react on different materials.
She co-wrote a well-known textbook called Physical Chemistry of Surfaces. This book is important for understanding how liquids and surfaces work together.
Leading Imperial College London
On September 1, 2014, Dr. Gast became the president of Imperial College London. This is a very famous university in the UK. She was the 16th person to hold this important role.
As president, she guided the college's plans for the future. This included developing a large new campus called Imperial West. She also worked to strengthen the college's connections with the government, businesses, and supporters.
Her time as president ended on July 31, 2022. Professor Hugh Brady took over the role in August 2022.
Understanding the President-Provost Model
In 2012, Imperial College London changed how it was led. They decided to split the main leadership role into two parts: a president and a provost.
- The President focuses on building relationships. This includes working with governments, industries, and people who donate money. The president helps the college have a strong voice in the UK and around the world.
- The Provost is in charge of the college's academic work. This means making sure teaching, research, and turning research into useful things are excellent.
This two-leader model is used by many top universities, like MIT and Harvard.
Achievements at Lehigh University
Before Imperial College, Dr. Gast was the 13th president of Lehigh University from 2006 to 2014. During her time there, she helped the university grow a lot.
- She led a big plan for the university's future.
- She helped raise a lot of money for the university.
- She expanded the university's work with the city of Bethlehem.
- She increased the university's land area.
- She helped Lehigh become more connected internationally.
- She started new ways for students to learn, like the Mountaintop Campus initiative.
Supporting International Students
In 2011, a famous business leader named Lee Iacocca donated $5 million to Lehigh University. This money helped create a new program for international internships. This program gives Lehigh students chances to work and learn in other countries. They can do internships, research, or work with students from other countries on projects for global companies.
Dr. Gast said this gift would help students understand the challenges of our connected world.
Promoting Student Well-being
In 2011, Lehigh University joined a program to help students make safe choices. This program, from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, focused on reducing risky behaviors. Dr. Gast was part of a group of college presidents working on this issue.
Commitment to a Greener Future
In 2009, Dr. Gast signed the Lehigh University Climate Commitment. This meant the university promised to make environmental protection a top priority. They aimed to improve the environment through teaching, research, and how the university operates. Dr. Gast believed that protecting the environment was very important for the Lehigh community.
Serving as a U.S. Science Envoy
In 2010, Dr. Gast was chosen as one of three new science envoys by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. In this role, Dr. Gast helped encourage the US to work with other countries on science and technology. She traveled to places like Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. She shared her insights with the White House and the State Department.
Reviewing the 2001 Anthrax Case
In 2011, Dr. Gast led a group of 16 scientists. They reviewed the scientific evidence from the FBI's investigation into the 2001 anthrax letters. These letters caused serious illness and deaths.
The panel concluded that science alone could not definitively prove where the anthrax came from. Dr. Gast explained that the scientific evidence was consistent with the FBI's findings, but not as certain as stated. She highlighted that this case showed how science and law enforcement work together.
The panel looked at thousands of pages of information. Their job was to review the scientific methods used, not to judge the police investigation.
Professional Connections and Boards
Dr. Gast has been a member of many important groups and boards. These include:
- The board of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
- The Academic Research Council for the Singapore Ministry of Education.
- The National Research Council Committee for Science, Technology, and the Law.
- The American Chemical Society.
- The American Institute of Chemical Engineers.
- The American Physical Society.
In 2012, she was elected to the board of directors for Chevron Corporation. Chevron is a major energy company. John Watson, Chevron's chairman, said Dr. Gast's knowledge would be very valuable to their board.
Dr. Gast also helps lead the World Economic Forum Global University Leaders' Forum (GULF). She is also on the advisory board for the World Economic Forum Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Science and Security in a Changing World
In 2006, Dr. Gast helped lead a committee that wrote a report called "Science and Security in a Post 911 World." This report looked at how science and national security could work together.
She and her co-author wrote that strict government rules on science could accidentally hurt the nation's ability to compete economically and defend itself. They suggested that scientists and security officials should work together to find a good balance.
Thinking About Science Funding
In 2009, Dr. Gast wrote an article in Science magazine. She warned about how short-term funding for science might be spent. She said that real, big changes in science need long-term investment. She compared it to building infrastructure, where "shovel ready" projects make sense. But for science, breakthroughs take time. She stressed that consistent funding is key for future discoveries.
Awards and Special Recognitions
Dr. Gast has received many awards for her achievements. Some of these include:
- The NAS Award for Initiatives in Research.
- The Colburn Award from the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.
- The Camille and Henry Dreyfus Teacher Scholar Award.
- A Guggenheim Fellowship.
- The Humboldt Research Award in 1998.
In 2001, she was elected to the National Academy of Engineering. This was for her work on understanding complex liquids and for her contributions to engineering education. In 2002, she became a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She was also named an AAAS Fellow in 2007.
In 2008, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers named her one of the top 100 "Modern Era" engineers in the US. They recognized her for her leadership. In 2017, she became a Fellow of The City and Guilds of London Institute.
She has also received honorary degrees from several universities around the world. In 2019, she was elected a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (FREng).
Personal Life
Alice Gast is married to Bradley J. Askins, who is a computer scientist. They have two children, Rebecca and David.
