Curious, not guided by role models: Kim Bonger appointed professor
As of this month, Kim Bonger has been appointed Professor of Chemical Biology. As a first-generation academic, she’s especially grateful. ‘I wasn’t exactly a top student at school. I never could’ve imagined this.’
What does this appointment mean to you personally?
Bonger: ‘It’s a huge honour and I’m incredibly grateful for the trust placed in me by the institute and the faculty. As a first-generation academic – and someone who didn’t particularly stand out during my school years – I never imagined this would be possible. At the time, my priorities were elsewhere. It wasn’t until later that I became fascinated by the beauty and power of organic chemistry.
When I was doing my PhD, I was one of the few women in a synthesis lab, and it seemed almost impossible to combine an academic career with having a family – especially when your partner also works full-time in science. I had very few role models. Still, I chose to pursue this path because I was curious about how we could use organic chemistry to tackle complex questions in biology. I always felt that if it didn’t work out, I could find another direction.’
What challenges have you faced along the way?
‘Opportunities have to come at the right moment and in the right place. You learn to deal with doubt and (often self-imposed) pressure. And sometimes, you just need that bit of luck – like getting the grant or opportunity that makes all the difference. I’m very thankful to all the people and colleagues who supported me on this journey. And of course, I’m especially grateful to the fantastic team of dedicated and talented PhD students and postdocs who do the real work in the lab. It’s a team effort.’
You haven’t been at our faculty for very long. Did you expect this appointment?
‘I started my academic career at Radboud University in 2013. After many great years there, an opportunity came up to continue my research in Leiden. The move to a new university last year also opened the door to taking the next step, and we talked about that process during my appointment. So no, it wasn’t completely unexpected – but I didn’t expect it to happen quite this quickly.’
What’s your main focus in the time ahead?
‘Our institute has a really strong foundation in research that sits at the intersection of chemistry and biology. That’s incredibly inspiring and opens up lots of possibilities for collaboration and new projects. And even beyond our institute – with places like LACDR, IBL and LUMC – there’s a lot of science being done at this interface. I hope to strengthen connections with researchers in these areas and set up new collaborations. I also want to support student development.’
If we were to check in again a year from now, what would you hope to have achieved?
‘A year flies by – and in science, it’s really not that long! I hope to continue growing as a researcher, teacher and mentor, and to support and inspire the next generation of students as they discover and follow their own (scientific) dreams.’