The research of Kim Bonger focuses on the development of novel bioorthogonal chemistry and chemoenzymatic methods for imaging, target discovery and precision medicine. In addition, she develops molecular probes and explores new chemical biology strategies to understand and modulate the cellular mechanisms involved in (auto)immune diseases.

More information about Kim Bonger

Bio sketch

Kim Bonger obtained her MSc degree in Organic Chemistry from the Free University in Amsterdam in 2002. In 2008 she received her PhD in (bio)organic chemistry and from Leiden University working under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Gijs van der Marel and Prof. Dr. Hermen Overkleeft on the design, synthesis and evaluation of dimeric ligands for G-protein coupled receptors involved in human reproduction. Starting in 2009, Kim switched fields to molecular biology and cell biology where she spends four years as a postdoc with Prof. Dr. Thomas Wandless at Stanford University working on molecular tools to control protein stability. In 2013 she returned to the Netherlands as an assistant professor in Chemical Biology at the Radboud University in Nijmegen where she was promoted to associate professor in 2021. In 2024 she moved to Leiden University to pursue her research in Chemical Biology & Immunology and is appointed to Full Professor in Chemical Biology in 2025. Her research focuses on the development of novel bioorthogonal chemistry and chemoenzymatic methods for imaging, target discovery and precision medicine. In addition, she develops molecular probes and explores new chemical biology strategies to understand and modulate the cellular mechanisms involved in (auto)immune diseases.

Short CV

Education

2008   PhD, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, The Netherlands, 19 December 2008. Thesis title: “Dimeric ligands for GPCRs involved in reproduction: Synthesis and biological evaluation”; Advisors: Prof. H.S. Overkleeft and G.A. van der Marel
2002 MSc in Organic Chemistry, Free University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
2001 BSc in Organic Chemistry, Hogeschool Leiden, Leiden, The Netherlands

Current and previous research positions

2025 – now  Full Professor in Chemical Biology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, The Netherlands
2024 – 2025  Associate Professor, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, The Netherlands
2021 – 2024  Associate Professor with Ius Promovendi, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
2013 – 2021  Assistant Professor, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
2009 – 2012  Postdoctoral researcher, Stanford University, Stanford, USA (Prof. Dr. T.J. Wandless)

Grants and recognitions since 2016

2024   ZonMW Open Competition (800 k€, Co-applicant)
2024   ERC Proof of Concept (160 k€)
2024 Venture Challenge 2024 Certificate
2023   ERC Consolidator Grant (2.5 M€)
2022   Radboud Interdisciplinary Research Platform (50 k€, Co-applicant with Dr. S. Lücker)
2021   Aspasia Grant, Dutch Science Organization (NWO) (120 K€)
2021   Institute for Chemical Immunology Grant (300 K€, Co-applicant with Prof. E. Reits)
2020   Reumafonds Grant (200 K€, co-applicant with Prof. R.E.M. Toes, LUMC)
2020   Learning by Simulation certificate for module: Drug Development 
2018   ERC Starting Grant (1.5 M€)
2018   ICI career track (1.2 M€)
2017   University Teaching Qualification Certificate (BKO)
2017   Radboud Womens Professor Network Prize 
2016   Reumafonds Grant (200 K€, co-applicant with Dr. P. van Lent, RUMC)

Contribution to teaching and supervision

2024 - 2025   Lecturer Molecular Physiology (MST, BSc)
2021 - 2024   Lecturer and coordinator Medicinal Chemistry (NWI-MOL421, MSc)
2013 - 2024   Lecturer Pharmacochemistry (NWI-MOL053, BSc)
2013 - 2024   Lecturer Chemical Biology (NWI-MOL401, MSc)

Supervision of 15 PhD students and 6 postdoctoral fellows since 2013.

Publication record

>52 papers with >1800 citations, H-index: 23 (Google Scholar)

Full publication record: Google Scholar

Recent oral presentations including international conferences

• 14th International Activity Based Protein Profiling meeting, Crick Institute, London, UK (March 2025)
• Leiden Institute of Chemistry lecture, Leiden, The Netherlands (July 2024)
• Glasgow-Nijmegen Symposium, Nijmegen, The Netherlands (June 2024)
• Astbury Conversations, Leeds, UK (April 2024)
• KVCV-RSC 2023, Brussel, Belgium (December 2023)
• EFMC-ICBS 2023, Basel, Zwiterland (November 2023)
• 13th International Activity Based Protein Profiling meeting, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel (July 2023)
• 2nd RadboudUMC Oncology Research Retreat, Nijmegen, The Netherlands (June 2023)
• 7th Gratama Workshop, Nagasaki, Japan (May 2023)
• Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands (March 2023)
• Chemical Immunology MMD symposium, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands (September 2022)
• 2nd Munich-Leiden Virtual ChemBio Talks (September 2022)
• Chemical Biology & Physiology Conference OHSU, Portland, USA (April 2022)
• KNCV Medicinal Chemistry and Chemical Biology Symposium, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (March 2022)
• Byondis lecture, Nijmegen, The Netherlands (November 2021)
• Virtual 48th IUPAC World Chemistry Congress, Montreal, Canada (August 2021)
• Virtual RSC Bioorthogonal and Bioresponsive symposium, Edinborough, UK (June 2021)
• Leolezing, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands (March 2021)
• MedChem symposium, University of Wuerzburg, Germany (February 2021)
• Sigma Lecture, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands (February 2020)
• Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary (January 2020)

Organization of recent scientific meetings

2025   Organizing Committee member of EFMC-ISMC conference, Basel, Switserland” ~1500 participants
2024   Scientific Committee member of the 14th Activity Based Protein Profiling meeting, London, UK
2022   Member of the Program Committee 49th IUPAC World Chemistry Congress /CHAINS 2023; The Hague, Netherlands: ~ 2500 participants
2022   Member of the Program Committee CHAINS 2022; Netherlands: ~ 1500 participants
2021   Member of the Program Committee CHAINS 2021; Netherlands: ~ 1500 participants
2021   Co-organizer of 48th IUPAC World Chemistry Congress, Montreal, Canada

View Curriculum Vitae

Publications