Bernard L. Feringa (Dutch Synthetic Organic Chemist) Age, Biography.

Quick Info

Profession	Synthetic Organic Chemist
Nationality	Dutch
Date of Birth	18/05/1951
Age	74 years
Birthplace	Barger-Compascuum, Netherlands

Latest News about Bernard L. Feringa

12/01/2026

A manuscript co-authored by Ben L. Feringa was featured on the cover page of Accounts of Chemical Research. This marks the first published manuscript of 2026 featuring his contributions.

01/12/2025

Ben L. Feringa was announced as a co-winner of the 2025 Feynman Experiment Prize by the Foresight Institute. He received the award for his pioneering work in controlling molecular motion, an achievement recognized for advancing nanotechnology and the goal of molecular manufacturing.

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Bio/Wiki

Full name	Bernard Lucas "Ben" Feringa
Nickname	Ben Feringa

Physical Stats & More

Height	5' 8" (173 cm)
Eye Color	Blue
Hair Color	Brown

Educational Qualification(s)

PhD	University of Groningen, Netherlands (1978)
MSc	University of Groningen, Netherlands (1974)
Thesis Title	Asymmetric oxidation of phenols. Atropisomerism and optical activity

Personal Life

School	Katholiek Drents College, the Netherlands
College/University	University of Groningen, Netherlands
Food Habit	Non-Vegetarian

Relationships & More

Marital Status	Married

Family

Father	Geert Feringa (1918–1993)
Mother	Elizabeth Hake (1924–2013)
Siblings	He was second of the ten siblings.
Spouse	Betty Feringa
Children	Femke (a cell biologist) Hannah (a Ph D in food allergies) Emma

Career

Fields	Organic Chemistry Materials Science Nanotechnology Photochemistry Catalysis Supramolecular Chemistry Photopharmacology Molecular Machines Asymmetric Catalysis
Thesis	Asymmetric oxidation of phenols Atropisomerism and optical activity (1978)
Doctoral Advisor	Late Prof. Hans Wijnberg
Awards/Achievements	The Spinoza Award (2004) The Prelog gold medal (2005) The Norrish Award of the ACS (2007) The Paracelsus medal (2008) The Chirality medal (2009) The RSC Organic Stereochemistry Award (2011) Humboldt Award (2012) The Grand Prix Scientifique Cino del Duca (French Academy 2012) The Marie Curie medal (2013) The Solvay Chemistry for the Future Award (2015) Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2016) The Centenary Prize of the Royal Society of Chemistry (2017) The European Gold Medal presented by the European Chemical Society (EuChemS) (2018) The Raman Chair of the Indian Academy of Sciences, an honorary position (2019) Feynman Experiment Prize (2025) Koerber European Science Award (2003)
Positions	Research Scientist at Shell in the Netherlands and the UK (1978) Lecturer at University of Groningen (1984) Full Professor at University of Groningen (1988) Jacobus H. van't Hoff Distinguished Professor of Molecular Sciences (2004) Co-Director of Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist joint Research Center, ECUST, Shanghai, China (2017–present) Member, European Research Council (2019–present) Member, Board of Governors, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology School Corporation (2021–present)
Key Contributions	Design and synthesis of the world's first artificial unidirectional molecular rotary motor (1999) Development of chiral overcrowded alkenes and optically controlled molecular switching Construction of fully synthetic nanomolecular car with precise guided movement on gold surfaces Development of Feringa ligand for asymmetric catalysis Copper-catalyzed conjugate addition of Grignard reagents to cyclic enones Application of molecular motors to control and direct chemical system functions Integration of molecular motors into intelligent molecular materials

Some Lesser Known Facts

1. His grandfather’s family relocated from Emsland to the Bourtanger moor in northeastern Netherlands in 1866.
2. Bernard L. Feringa's father owned a farm in Barger-Compascuum village where he worked and was involved in various community activities.
3. The Feringa family raised animals for milk, eggs, and meat, had a peat for heating, a water well, and a large garden for fruits and vegetables.
4. After completing his PhD in 1978 at the University of Groningen, Feringa became a lecturer there in 1984 and was later promoted to Full Professor in 1988.
5. In 1997, Feringa accomplished a 200 km long-distance tour skating in 12 hours, setting a record.
6. Feringa discovered microscopic switches and motors composed of molecules that mimic directional movement, similar to the human eye.
7. His work focuses on using specific chemicals to facilitate controlled reactions, enhancing the efficiency of producing medicines and other valuable compounds.
8. He shared the 2016 Nobel Prize in Chemistry with Jean-Pierre Sauvage and Sir J. Fraser Stoddart.

Bernard L. Feringa Synthetic Organic Chemist Dutch Barger-Compascuum, Netherlands