In memory of Professor Alice Gast

I was deeply saddened to learn that Professor Alice Gast had died from pancreatic cancer. Alice was the former President of Imperial College London and Emeritus Professor of Chemical Engineering, but she was also a mother, a wife, and a valued friend to all of us at Pancreatic Cancer UK.

Alice was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2021 and lived for four years with the strength, determination, and resilience that those who knew her would expect.

One of the most profound privileges of my role is meeting truly remarkable people whose lives are touched by this terrible disease. Often, our paths would not have crossed were it not for the cruel circumstances.

Alice was one of those exceptional people – intellectually brilliant, deeply thoughtful, endlessly curious and wonderfully kind.

As Professor Hugh Brady, President of Imperial College London, so aptly said, Alice possessed a towering intellect and a rare ability to see beyond the barriers that so often confine us. Those of us who had the honour of working alongside her learned a great deal – about science, about compassion and about courage.

Like many who first encounter pancreatic cancer, Alice came to the charity shocked by the harsh realities: the devastating outcomes, the lack of early diagnostic tools, limited treatment options, and the historic underfunding of research. She was determined to help change that. Her drive to challenge the status quo – both in the UK and globally – was truly inspiring.

Throughout these last four years, Alice generously gave her time, expertise, and guidance to the charity, working closely with teams across the organisation. She played a pivotal role in shaping our recommendations to increase funding for pancreatic cancer research and our manifesto asks on prioritising overlooked cancers like pancreatic cancer.

In fact, her contributions helped inform the Rare Cancers Bill, having seen the effects of similar legislation in the United States (known as the ‘Recalcitrant Cancer Research Act’). This legislation, if passed, could mark a transformative shift in focus and investment for pancreatic cancer in the UK. Alice’s position as a thought leader helped us to significantly drive momentum on this issue, including by connecting our charity with decision-makers, and writing opinion pieces on pancreatic cancer.

Alice believed deeply in the UK’s potential to lead the world in pancreatic cancer research. She championed the need to bring together leaders in the field to innovate, collaborate, and accelerate breakthroughs for less survivable cancers. She was a passionate advocate for nurturing the next generation of researchers, recognising that mentorship, shared learning, and international collaboration are essential to unlocking progress in this complex and challenging area.

In the final months of Alice’s life, we spoke about what mattered most to her – how she hoped to continue supporting our work, and what her legacy might be. I am deeply honoured that, with the support of Alice’s family, we have established the Professor Alice Gast Fund to honour her legacy and her belief that the most significant research breakthroughs occur when innovation and international collaboration come together.

The Professor Alice Gast Fund will support early-career scientists with vital funding, such as travel grants and attendance at international conferences, creating opportunities for cross-border collaboration and accelerating the development of promising ideas into impactful breakthroughs in pancreatic cancer.

By 2027, pancreatic cancer is projected to take more lives annually than breast cancer, becoming the fourth biggest cause of cancer related death in the UK. Unless we urgently find new ways to halt its progress, too many more brilliant people will be tragically lost.

On behalf of everyone at Pancreatic Cancer UK, I want to express our deepest condolences to Alice’s family, friends, and colleagues. Her legacy will continue to inspire us in our mission to transform the future for everyone affected by pancreatic cancer.