Ben Feringa is a world-renowned Dutch chemist whose pioneering work has revolutionized the field of molecular nanotechnology. He currently serves as the Jacobus van 't Hoff Distinguished Professor of Molecular Sciences at the University of Groningen, and served as Director of the Stratingh Institute for Chemistry from 2003 to 2011. Born in 1951 in Barger-Compascuum, Netherlands, to farming parents, Feringa became one of the first from his village to attend university, studying chemistry at the University of Groningen where he earned his PhD in 1978 under Professor Hans Wijnberg. His early career included research positions at Shell Oil Company before returning to academia at Groningen in 1984, where he steadily advanced to full professor in 1988 and was knighted by Her Majesty the Queen of the Netherlands in 2008 for his exceptional contributions to science.
Feringa is celebrated for his groundbreaking work in molecular machines, for which he received the 2016 Nobel Prize in Chemistry alongside Jean-Pierre Sauvage and Sir J. Fraser Stoddart. His seminal achievement was developing the first light-driven molecular motor in 1999, creating a molecular rotor that spins continuously in one direction at incredible speeds up to ten million rotations per second. This work laid the foundation for molecular switches inspired by biological systems and the world's first molecular nanocar, only two nanometers in size. His approach to chemical synthesis, described as building with molecules like Lego, has transformed how scientists think about molecular systems, enabling unprecedented control over molecular movement and function with applications spanning new materials, sensors, and energy storage systems.
Beyond his technical achievements, Professor Feringa plays a vital role in mentoring the next generation of scientists, drawing inspiration from his students' creativity and curiosity as he continues to push the boundaries of molecular nanotechnology. His research has evolved toward practical applications in medicine, including photopharmacology where molecular switches can activate drugs with high spatial and temporal control, showing particular promise for addressing bacterial resistance and improving cancer treatment through precision therapy. As an Academy Professor of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences and recipient of prestigious honors including the Spinoza Award, Feringa remains deeply engaged in advancing the field, emphasizing that failures in experimentation often lead to the most significant discoveries. His vision continues to guide research toward increasingly sophisticated molecular machines that could transform medicine, materials science, and energy technology in the coming decades.
