Thank you
For supporting scientific imagination and discovery
The impact of giving 2023–24
Thank you
I am delighted to welcome you to the latest edition of Imperial’s Impact of Giving Report. On behalf of the Imperial community, I'd like to express my sincere thanks for your incredible generosity.
Together, you gave a landmark £91 million in donations in 2023–24 – the largest amount donated to Imperial in a single year.
Over 80% of donors were alumni, reflecting the generosity of our community and your continued investment in Imperial. Your giving, whether financial, skills or time, has been truly transformative.
And that’s not all we’ve had to celebrate in this period. We launched our Strategy, Science for Humanity, which seeks to maximise Imperial’s potential as a force for good in the world, through enabling talent, powering research and amplifying impact. As we bring more of Imperial to the world, we’ll bring more of the world to Imperial.
Your giving enables a new generation of Imperial students to pursue their passions and fuels groundbreaking research that enables new advances on global challenges. As you read this report, I hope you will be as inspired as I am by the incredible work our community is leading, made possible thanks to your support.
Professor Hugh Brady, President of Imperial College London
Thank you
I am delighted to welcome you to the latest edition of Imperial’s Impact of Giving Report. On behalf of the Imperial community, I'd like to express my sincere thanks for your incredible generosity.
Together, you gave a landmark £91 million in donations in 2023–24 – the largest amount donated to Imperial in a single year.
Over 80% of donors were alumni, reflecting the generosity of our community and your continued investment in Imperial. Your giving, whether financial, skills or time, has been truly transformative.
And that’s not all we’ve had to celebrate in this period. We launched our Strategy, Science for Humanity, which seeks to maximise Imperial’s potential as a force for good in the world, through enabling talent, powering research and amplifying impact. As we bring more of Imperial to the world, we’ll bring more of the world to Imperial.
Your giving enables a new generation of Imperial students to pursue their passions and fuels groundbreaking research that enables new advances on global challenges. As you read this report, I hope you will be as inspired as I am by the incredible work our community is leading, made possible thanks to your support.
Professor Hugh Brady, President of Imperial College London
Meet the students
Thanks to your support between 2023-24, £5.4 million was given to scholarships, student support and prizes. These gifts are opening paths for talented students all over the world to reach their potential and pursue their academic dreams.
Henry Grub
“I’m so grateful for the donors whose support has given me the chance to widen my knowledge base and develop my presentation skills.”
In the fight to tackle bovine tuberculosis, Dean’s Fund recipient Henry Grub is engaging key players in biodiversity conservation, from UK farmers to leading global organisations, as part of his PhD in Environmental Policy.
What challenges are you tackling through your research?
My research looks at the decisions farmers make to reduce the risk of bovine tuberculosis (TB) – an infectious disease that affects cattle – and what results this has for local wildlife. Badgers are carriers of TB and badger culling has become a prominent control mechanism despite mixed scientific evidence about its effectiveness. I’m currently researching scaling up badger vaccinations, looking at case studies and ways of communicating with farmers to improve the effectiveness of these vaccination programmes and protect local wildlife in the process.
What opportunities has the Dean’s Fund afforded you?
It allowed me to attend the UN’s Biodiversity Conference (COP 15) in Montreal. This conference was where the new Global Biodiversity Framework was decided, determining how conservation will be carried out for the next decade or so. It was a fantastic experience. I had the opportunity to sit in the negotiation room and witness the process for international negotiations – certainly not an experience you get every day!
Philanthropic funding also supported my attendance at the European Congress of Conservation Biology in Bologna, Italy. During this conference I presented my research into badger vaccinations: the way in which different schemes were set up and communicated with farmers, how this affected the perceived success of the vaccination and my recommendations on how to make future schemes more successful.
I’m so grateful for the donors who have given to student support. Without the funding, I wouldn’t have had the chance to attend these conferences, widen my knowledge base and develop my presentation skills. These opportunities have meant the time spent doing my PhD has been filled with rich experiences I wouldn’t otherwise have had.
Henry Grub
“I’m so grateful for the donors whose support has given me the chance to widen my knowledge base and develop my presentation skills.”
In the fight to tackle bovine tuberculosis, Dean’s Fund recipient Henry Grub is engaging key players in biodiversity conservation, from UK farmers to leading global organisations, as part of his PhD in Environmental Policy.
What challenges are you tackling through your research?
My research looks at the decisions farmers make to reduce the risk of bovine tuberculosis (TB) – an infectious disease that affects cattle – and what results this has for local wildlife. Badgers are carriers of TB and badger culling has become a prominent control mechanism despite mixed scientific evidence about its effectiveness. I’m currently researching scaling up badger vaccinations, looking at case studies and ways of communicating with farmers to improve the effectiveness of these vaccination programmes and protect local wildlife in the process.
What opportunities has the Dean’s Fund afforded you?
It allowed me to attend the UN’s Biodiversity Conference (COP 15) in Montreal. This conference was where the new Global Biodiversity Framework was decided, determining how conservation will be carried out for the next decade or so. It was a fantastic experience. I had the opportunity to sit in the negotiation room and witness the process for international negotiations – certainly not an experience you get every day!
Philanthropic funding also supported my attendance at the European Congress of Conservation Biology in Bologna, Italy. During this conference I presented my research into badger vaccinations: the way in which different schemes were set up and communicated with farmers, how this affected the perceived success of the vaccination and my recommendations on how to make future schemes more successful.
I’m so grateful for the donors who have given to student support. Without the funding, I wouldn’t have had the chance to attend these conferences, widen my knowledge base and develop my presentation skills. These opportunities have meant the time spent doing my PhD has been filled with rich experiences I wouldn’t otherwise have had.
Isra Sulevani
“It was the first time in a long time that I felt someone wanted me to achieve what I was aiming for.”
Bursary recipient and Medicine undergraduate Isra Sulevani is part of an award-winning project at Imperial transforming mental health services in West London.
What made you want to study at Imperial?
In Year 12, I joined Imperial’s STEM Potential programme, aimed at widening access to university for young people from underprivileged backgrounds. My family was homeless at the time; to say those years were tough would be an understatement.
Imperial gave me hope. It was the first time in a long time that I felt someone cared for my situation and wanted me to achieve what I was aiming for. I knew this was a university I wanted to be a part of, so I worked hard to achieve the grades I needed.
Starting university felt like an absolute privilege and still does. I’m so thankful to everyone who supported me to get to where I am today and to those of you who continue to support me on my journey through the bursary scheme.
Are you part of any extracurricular projects?
Yes, I sit on the advisory board of Listen to Act – an Imperial-led project that aims to improve mental health services in West London. I got involved in the project through my previous volunteering position with Young Healthwatch Hillingdon – an organisation that advocates for health and social care services. My role with Listen to Act is to review relevant research that will support the advancement of mental health services in West London, which are currently underfunded and underserved. We recently won a Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement Award for our work.
How did you feel to be recognised for your work?
Really proud. Our board is comprised of young people with different backgrounds and experiences, which provides great diversity of thought. We work hard to plug the knowledge gaps in mental health research, in the hope that we can bring positive change to local communities.
I’m so grateful for the donors who have given to student support. Without the funding, I wouldn’t have had the chance to attend these conferences, widen my knowledge base and develop my presentation skills. These opportunities have meant the time spent doing my PhD has been filled with rich experiences I wouldn’t otherwise have had.
Isra Sulevani
“It was the first time in a long time that I felt someone wanted me to achieve what I was aiming for.”
Bursary recipient and Medicine undergraduate Isra Sulevani is part of an award-winning project at Imperial transforming mental health services in West London.
What made you want to study at Imperial?
In Year 12, I joined Imperial’s STEM Potential programme, aimed at widening access to university for young people from underprivileged backgrounds. My family was homeless at the time; to say those years were tough would be an understatement.
Imperial gave me hope. It was the first time in a long time that I felt someone cared for my situation and wanted me to achieve what I was aiming for. I knew this was a university I wanted to be a part of, so I worked hard to achieve the grades I needed.
Starting university felt like an absolute privilege and still does. I’m so thankful to everyone who supported me to get to where I am today and to those of you who continue to support me on my journey through the bursary scheme.
Are you part of any extracurricular projects?
Yes, I sit on the advisory board of Listen to Act – an Imperial-led project that aims to improve mental health services in West London. I got involved in the project through my previous volunteering position with Young Healthwatch Hillingdon – an organisation that advocates for health and social care services. My role with Listen to Act is to review relevant research that will support the advancement of mental health services in West London, which are currently underfunded and underserved. We recently won a Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement Award for our work.
How did you feel to be recognised for your work?
Really proud. Our board is comprised of young people with different backgrounds and experiences, which provides great diversity of thought. We work hard to plug the knowledge gaps in mental health research, in the hope that we can bring positive change to local communities.
Jayden Jackson
“Scholarships help to boost representation, which ensures students from all walks of life can see themselves reflected in the student body.”
Cowrie Scholar and Aeronautical Engineering undergraduate Jayden Jackson is making the most of Imperial’s enabling research environment by learning technical skills and tackling complex problems.
Where does your passion for aeronautics come from?
From a young age, I’ve been interested in space and sci-fi, often watching films and playing games related to the themes. As I got older, I began watching NASA documentaries about missions to other planets, and it inspired me to pursue a career in the field. I studied Maths and Physics during my A-levels and researched which degrees would have the best path into industry. I discovered Imperial has a fantastic Aerospace Engineering course and the rest is history!
What’s been your biggest academic achievement at Imperial so far?
We had an open-ended task to write code that computed various performance metrics for the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter rotor blades, using blade element theory (a model for how rotorcraft generate power). I struggled to piece together this complex puzzle of equations, but when I finally got my code to run consistently and produce logically sound outcomes, I felt an enormous sense of pride.
Why are scholarships important for diversifying talent within STEM?
They help to boost representation, which ensures students from all walks of life can see themselves reflected in the student body, in turn empowering them to apply. It’s a feedback loop. These students who graduate and go on to successful careers then also become role models in industry and potential mentors. I’m so grateful to Imperial and The Cowrie Scholarship Foundation for providing me with opportunities that will help me achieve academic and professional success.
Your generosity is also creating opportunities for our academics to explore groundbreaking research and providing them with the resources and facilities needed to tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges.
Reaching supersonic speeds
Thanks to a gift made in honour of alumnus Dr Hiralal N Patel (PhD Aeronautical Engineering 1945), Imperial researchers are recreating the extreme flight conditions present in space using a unique purpose-built supersonic wind tunnel.
For years, aeronautical engineers have pushed the boundaries to design aircraft that maximise performance and efficiency without compromising safety. Recent advances in lightweight materials have led to radical new designs for lightweight, highly flexible aircraft capable of efficient flight under extreme flight conditions. For these high-performing aircraft, predicting and mitigating the unstable oscillation of aircraft surfaces during flight – a phenomenon known as aeroelastic flutter – is critical. Flutter typically affects the wings, control surfaces and stabilisers of an aircraft and can lead to damage and, in extreme circumstances, failure of the aircraft structure.
Despite the critical nature of flutter analysis, accurate modelling remains a challenge. Simulating real flight conditions is a complicated and demanding process and requires access to wind tunnels, which are expensive to build and run. This is particularly true for aircraft that fly at transonic (close to the speed of sound) and supersonic (greater than the speed of sound) speeds, where the effects of shockwaves must be captured at realistic conditions and scales – something few wind tunnels can do accurately.
A special philanthropic gift
Thanks to the generosity of Sanjay Patel and his wife Leslie, who gave a gift in honour of Sanjay’s father and Imperial alumnus Dr Hiralal N Patel, Imperial’s Department of Aeronautics has been able to overcome this problem by building a state-of-the-art wind tunnel facility designed for high-speed air flow research. The Hiru N Patel Supersonic Wind Tunnel has strengthened Imperial’s research environment of discovery and innovation by enabling the study of airflow at speeds of up to five times the speed of sound.
Donor Sanjay Patel and his wife Leslie standing in front of the supersonic wind tunnel
Donor Sanjay Patel and his wife Leslie standing in front of the supersonic wind tunnel
Dr Paul Bruce, Reader in High-Speed Aerodynamics at Imperial, led the design and development of the wind tunnel. He says: “This tunnel is incredibly special as it can recreate a range of flight conditions that no other tunnels in Europe can.
“The majority of wind tunnels in operation today were designed decades ago and are limited to run at certain conditions and speeds. Ours, on the other hand, can run at widely variable settings for heating, pressure, altitude and speed – which means it can be used to test a range of conditions vehicles might expect when flying, whether it’s to the edge of the atmosphere or at sea level."
“We’re so grateful for the incredible generosity of the Patels, which has made this exciting new facility a reality. I have no doubt that it will inspire students and researchers at Imperial for decades to come.”
Imperial is using the tunnel to tackle emerging challenges in the field of high-speed aerodynamics. Its research has applications in fields such as military and civilian aircraft design and in Martian and space exploration.
“If you want to put a spacecraft into orbit you have to understand how it flies at very high speeds," says Paul. "Our tunnel can, uniquely, simulate the conditions encountered by a vehicle as it exits or re-enters an atmosphere from space, giving us a distinct competitive advantage. We’re bringing high speed experimental research into the twenty-first century, and using it to explore important and unanswered questions.”
Honouring alumnus Dr Hiralal N Patel
Dr Hiralal N Patel, who passed away in 2021 at the age of 101, obtained his PhD from Imperial in Aeronautical Engineering in 1945, and his thesis has been credited as developing our understanding of flutter. The tunnel’s capabilities regarding its accurate modelling of flutter will enable continued study of the work Dr Patel was so passionate about.
From bench to bedside: Using novel technology to heal broken bones
Imperial startup AptaBone has leaned into our culture of entrepreneurship and used a philanthropically funded accelerator to advance its MedTech innovation in bone repair.
Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions – those affecting the bones, joints, muscles and spine – are the leading contributor to disability worldwide and a common cause of pain in the body.
Fractures are common MSK injuries, and the most serious seen in the older population. Many fractured bones heal without any problems, but as many as 10% may result in a nonunion – a defect in which the bone fails to heal. Patients with nonunions usually feel pain at the site of a break long after the initial pain of the fracture disappears – sometimes for many years.
Existing treatments may have slow healing times, limited effectiveness and cause side effects that complicate bone repair and limb length maintenance. Seeing a gap in the market for a safe alternative to the standard therapeutic strategies, Imperial PhD student Magdalene Ho and her team came up with the idea for AptaBone – a targeted, DNA-based technology that selectively harnesses a combination of natural proteins from the blood to promote healing of nonunion fractures.
By delivering growth factors in a localised and targeted manner, AptaBone requires a lower dose when compared to existing untargeted clinical methods. In addition, the use of growth factors from blood, a natural source, enables multiple growth factors to be used, leading to more effective healing.
Accelerating MedTech innovation
With no prior experience of commercialising research and in need of support to launch her enterprise, Magdalene joined the 2023/24 cohort of the Imperial MedTech SuperConnector MSK Innovation Accelerator – a six-month programme designed to scale early stage startups focused on solving musculoskeletal issues in the UK.
Supported by Orthopaedic Research UK, this programme supports startups through the complex journey of concept to market, offering targeted mentorship, training and strategic partnerships. Throughout the programme participants gain the skills, resources and connections needed to successfully commercialise whilst early stage.
“The accelerator has provided me with access to mentorship, business masterclasses and feedback sessions,” says Magdalene. “Hearing from people with different experiences and perspectives to yours is so important when building a startup, as it challenges your own biases and assumptions. I’ve also gained skills that are making me a better leader and co-founder. I’ve been able to improve my communication and been empowered to be more versatile.”
Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions – those affecting the bones, joints, muscles and spine – are the leading contributor to disability worldwide and a common cause of pain in the body.
Fractures are common MSK injuries, and the most serious seen in the older population. Many fractured bones heal without any problems, but as many as 10% may result in a nonunion – a defect in which the bone fails to heal. Patients with nonunions usually feel pain at the site of a break long after the initial pain of the fracture disappears – sometimes for many years.
Existing treatments may have slow healing times, limited effectiveness and cause side effects that complicate bone repair and limb length maintenance. Seeing a gap in the market for a safe alternative to the standard therapeutic strategies, Imperial PhD student Magdalene Ho and her team came up with the idea for AptaBone – a targeted, DNA-based technology that selectively harnesses a combination of natural proteins from the blood to promote healing of nonunion fractures.
By delivering growth factors in a localised and targeted manner, AptaBone requires a lower dose when compared to existing untargeted clinical methods. In addition, the use of growth factors from blood, a natural source, enables multiple growth factors to be used, leading to more effective healing.
Accelerating MedTech innovation
With no prior experience of commercialising research and in need of support to launch her enterprise, Magdalene joined the 2023/24 cohort of the Imperial MedTech SuperConnector MSK Innovation Accelerator – a six-month programme designed to scale early stage startups focused on solving musculoskeletal issues in the UK.
Supported by Orthopaedic Research UK, this programme supports startups through the complex journey of concept to market, offering targeted mentorship, training and strategic partnerships. Throughout the programme participants gain the skills, resources and connections needed to successfully commercialise whilst early stage.
“The accelerator has provided me with access to mentorship, business masterclasses and feedback sessions,” says Magdalene. “Hearing from people with different experiences and perspectives to yours is so important when building a startup, as it challenges your own biases and assumptions. I’ve also gained skills that are making me a better leader and co-founder. I’ve been able to improve my communication and been empowered to be more versatile.”
About The MedTech SuperConnector
Imperial’s MedTech SuperConnector (MTSC) supports early career researchers building research-led ventures that aim to deliver innovative and impactful healthcare solutions, through its entrepreneurial skills-based accelerator programme.
Since its launch in 2018…
About The MedTech SuperConnector
Imperial’s MedTech SuperConnector (MTSC) supports early career researchers building research-led ventures that aim to deliver innovative and impactful healthcare solutions, through its entrepreneurial skills-based accelerator programme.
Since its launch in 2018…
Paying it forward
Over 80% of our donors in 2023-24 were alumni. We’re thrilled to have such a committed and supportive alumni community, and are delighted that many choose to give back in this way.
This includes alumnus such as Mike Lewis (MEng Chemical Nuclear Engineering 2013), who also received support from donors during his time at Imperial. Here, he discusses the impact receiving a bursary had on him, and why he’s been inspired to support the next generation of students to pursue their passion.
Paying it forward
Over 80% of our donors in 2023-24 were alumni. We’re thrilled to have such a committed and supportive alumni community, and are delighted that many choose to give back in this way.
This includes alumnus such as Mike Lewis (MEng Chemical Nuclear Engineering 2013), who also received support from donors during his time at Imperial. Here, he discusses the impact receiving a bursary had on him, and why he’s been inspired to support the next generation of students to pursue their passion.
“I grew up in the Medway towns which is quite a deprived area, so I saw university as my chance for change. Imperial was at the top of my list, and I was over the moon when I got my offer. Unfortunately, my father was made redundant just after the financial crash in 2007-08 and my mum’s business went belly up, so when I started Imperial in 2009, they weren’t in a position to offer me financial support.
“Receiving the bursary was a lifesaver. Living in London is incredibly expensive, and without the bursary I would have had to get a part time job. Some of my highlights from Imperial are playing rugby, acting in the drama society and directing a play – all of which I would have missed out on if I had to fit a part time job around my classes and homework.
“Without the financial stress I was also able to give my studies the attention they required. At Imperial, you go really deep into a subject. The technical education is second to none. After graduating I joined Rolls Royce, one of the larger UK nuclear companies. I remain there a decade later, currently as Chief Engineer and Head of Strategic Programmes.
“I'm fortunate to be in a position where I'm financially comfortable because of my education, so I donate to Imperial because it played a role in getting me here. Someone from my background doesn't get to where I am today without institutions like Imperial and the generosity of people who give to student support.
“Since I was a student, costs have increased immensely, so those who have received opportunities that have helped them lead comfortable lives need to pay it forward. We owe it to the next generation to give them the opportunities that we had. After all, we’ll need them to solve the problems of the future that we're leaving in our wake, in the same way that we're solving the problems that our parents and grandparents’ generations left in theirs.”
“I grew up in the Medway towns which is quite a deprived area, so I saw university as my chance for change. Imperial was at the top of my list, and I was over the moon when I got my offer. Unfortunately, my father was made redundant just after the financial crash in 2007-08 and my mum’s business went belly up, so when I started Imperial in 2009, they weren’t in a position to offer me financial support.
“Receiving the bursary was a lifesaver. Living in London is incredibly expensive, and without the bursary I would have had to get a part time job. Some of my highlights from Imperial are playing rugby, acting in the drama society and directing a play – all of which I would have missed out on if I had to fit a part time job around my classes and homework.
“Without the financial stress I was also able to give my studies the attention they required. At Imperial, you go really deep into a subject. The technical education is second to none. After graduating I joined Rolls Royce, one of the larger UK nuclear companies. I remain there a decade later, currently as Chief Engineer and Head of Strategic Programmes.
“I'm fortunate to be in a position where I'm financially comfortable because of my education, so I donate to Imperial because it played a role in getting me here. Someone from my background doesn't get to where I am today without institutions like Imperial and the generosity of people who give to student support.
“Since I was a student, costs have increased immensely, so those who have received opportunities that have helped them lead comfortable lives need to pay it forward. We owe it to the next generation to give them the opportunities that we had. After all, we’ll need them to solve the problems of the future that we're leaving in our wake, in the same way that we're solving the problems that our parents and grandparents’ generations left in theirs.”
The year in numbers
Over 3,600 individuals and organisations came together during 2023–24 to donate a record-breaking £91.9 million to Imperial. These donations – the largest amount given in any single year in Imperial’s history – have opened doors and provided transformative opportunities for students and staff, enabled innovative research to be carried out and supported the development of world-class facilities.
We are deeply grateful for each and every donor who chose to give this year – your generosity continues to have a remarkable impact on our community and beyond.
The impact of giving
The stories here are taken from the 2023–24 Impact of Giving report and show the difference that philanthropy makes at Imperial, from shaping the student experience, to sparking new research and ensuring that our campus remains world class. Thank you to everyone who gave this year, your support for Imperial has real impact.
If you would like to receive a full copy of the report, either by email or post, please get in touch with us at giving@imperial.ac.uk. To find out more about giving to Imperial College London, please visit www.imperial.ac.uk/giving.
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