51³Ô¹ÏÍø

51³Ô¹ÏÍø will mark the achievements of more than 3000 new engineers, doctors, scientists and future business leaders at Postgraduate Graduation Day.

Watched by a record 9400 guests, this year’s new graduates will take to the stage in the to receive their awards in the largest Graduation in 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s history.

The ceremonies will be hosted by 51³Ô¹ÏÍø's President Professor Alice Gast. Addressing the audience of new graduates and their guests, Professor Gast will commend the achievements and potential of this year’s graduating cohort.

“You have the potential to accomplish great things. I hope that you will use your intelligence and education to solve the problems of today and the problems that will arise in the future,” she will say.

Echoing the sentiment of her President’s Address to the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø community in March, Professor Gast will speak of the importance of patience in a rapidly changing world: “Quick thinking and the ability to make rapid decisions are essential in today’s competitive world.  But they alone are not enough to achieve success and fulfilment. Complex issues in a complicated world deserve deliberate thought and perseverance.”

“Never lose your enthusiasm for contributing to society. And always remember that patience is an ally, not an enemy, of enthusiasm.”

Recognising Excellence

Honorary Degree

During the ceremonies 51³Ô¹ÏÍø will also honour others who have made contributions to the College, research and wider society with honorary degrees and 51³Ô¹ÏÍø College medals.

Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz

This year 51³Ô¹ÏÍø will present an honorary degree to , Vice-Chancellor of the and Chairman of . His research focuses on viral immunology, infectious disease, and viral-induced cancer.

Following initial studies at Cardiff Medical School and a PhD from 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, Sir Leszek pursued a career in academic medicine at the University of Cambridge, where he was a fellow of Wolfson College, and then as a consultant at Hammersmith Hospital. He headed the Department of Medicine at the University of Wales before joining 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, where he was promoted to Deputy Rector responsible for the overall academic and scientific direction of the College. In 2010 he was appointed the 345th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge,

Sir Leszek was knighted in the 2001 New Year’s Honours List for his contribution to medical education and research into developing vaccines. Among his many honours, he holds the Royal Society of Medicine’s Jephcott Medal, the Royal College of Physicians’ Moxon Trust Medal and he is a Fellow of the Royal Society.

REGIUS PROFESSORSHIP

, Professor of Molecular Microbiology in the Department of Medicine and the founding Director of the and Infection will be formally be conferred with the title of Regius Professor. Professor Holden is one of the world’s leading experts on Salmonella bacteria, which cause diseases including gastroenteritis and typhoid fever.

Imperial was awarded the prestigious Regius Professorship by the Queen as part of her 90th birthday celebrations last year, recognising the highest standard of research and teaching in the Faculty of Medicine. 

IMPERIAL COLLEGE MEDALS

Recognising their outstanding contributions to the life and work of the College, 51³Ô¹ÏÍø College Medals will be presented to Gail Hallissey - Facilities Co-ordinator at, Professor Geoff Maitland - Professor of Energy Engineering and former President of the (2014-15), and Professor Sarah Rankin - Professor of Leukocyte and Stem Cell Biology, Senior Tutor for fourth year medical students and Head of Outreach and Public Engagement for the National Heart and Lung Institute.

The ceremonies will also see the presentation of The President’s Medals, which are awarded to recognise staff members who have made outstanding contributions to research, external engagement, innovation, and research support or supervision (see sidebar).

Student Excellence

Outstanding student achievement will be celebrated with awards for Ms , a fourth year PhD student in the . Clementine is the co-founder of , a social enterprise that uses agricultural waste and solar power to provide electricity to off-grid communities in rural India.

Clementine Chambon

, a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the at and former PhD student in the Departments of Medicine and at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, will be recognised for her work as a volunteer for , London’s largest HIV charity and her roles as an 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Postgraduate Ambassador and a .

, a second year PhD student in the Department of Bioengineering is also recognised. He was injured in Afghanistan in 2011 while serving in the and has gone on to represent in athletics at the in Rio de Janeiro, winning bronze in the T42 200m race. David was also Captain of the British Armed Forces Team in the in 2014 and competed again in the 2016 Games winning medals at both. He sits on the Advisory Board of the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Centre for Blast Injury Studies as the veterans’ representative.

Captain David Henson

Also recognised for the award will be - a final year PhD student in the Department of Mathematics and Director and Trustee of the , a UK based charity which advances education in mathematics for public benefit by improving the standard of education in Africa.

Dr Nathalie MacDermott, a second year PhD student in the Department of Medicine, will also receive the recognition for her work as Clinical Lead for the response, where she worked alongside the , and .

Finally who completed her doctoral studies in the will be recognised for her outreach work, using her doctoral work on meteorites from Mars to tirelessly promote science to the public and increase awareness of the value of science to society.

Watch today's graduation ceremonies as they happen

Faculty of Engineering (streaming begins 4.55pm).