Trinity welcomes Nobel Prize winner, Prof. Ben Feringa

Posted on: 24 January 2025

Prof. Feringa's seminar attracted students from all five universities in Dublin.

He shared his journey from groundbreaking discoveries in molecular switches to his recent work on light-driven nano-robots and switchable antibiotics, showcasing the power of chemistry to solve global challenges and spark scientific innovation.

Attendees were particularly moved by his reflections on receiving the Nobel Prize and the crucial role curiosity and creativity play in advancing science.

Prof. Ben Feringa (third from left) in Trinity's Front Square, with Provost, Dr Linda Doyle, Dean of the Faculty of STEM, Sylvia Draper, and key members of the School of Chemistry.

Earlier in the day, Prof. Feringa attended a small Organic Chemistry colloquium, where graduate students and post-doctoral researchers in the School of Chemistry presented their research to him.

Graeme Watson, Professor of Theoretical Chemistry and Head of School (Chemistry), said: “Prof. Feringa's lecture was a tour de force in scientific innovation and creativity. His insights into molecular machines and the role of chemistry in shaping our world were inspiring and thought-provoking.”

Chris Batchelor-McAuley, Assistant Professor in the School of Chemistry, added: “The opportunity for the graduate students and early career researchers to present their work to him was an invaluable experience. It was wonderful to see the high level of research and enthusiasm from the students and post-docs at Trinity.”

Prof. Feringa was awarded the 2016 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, together with Sir J Fraser Stoddart and Jean-Pierre Sauvage for the design and synthesis of molecular machines.

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