Rate My Professor Wiktor Szymański

Wiktor Szymański is Professor of Medicinal Chemistry, Photopharmacology and Imaging at the University of Groningen, holding positions within the Faculty of Science and Engineering's Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy and the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG). He leads the Medicinal Chemistry, Photopharmacology and Imaging group and serves as HTRIC Theme Leader, with additional roles in Biopharmaceuticals, Discovery, Design and Delivery, and Basic and Translational Research and Imaging Methodology Development in Groningen (BRIDGE).

Szymański earned his PhD in 2008 from the Warsaw University of Technology, Poland, under the supervision of Prof. Ryszard Ostaszewski. He subsequently spent two years at the University of Groningen working on biotransformations in organic chemistry with Profs. Ben L. Feringa and Dick B. Janssen. Since 2010, he has advanced photoactive protein-, peptide-, and DNA-bioconjugates and photopharmacology in the Feringa laboratory. In 2014, he joined the Medical Imaging Center at UMCG, progressing to tenure-track assistant professor in 2015, associate professor in 2019, and full professor in 2023. His research focuses on photopharmacology, employing molecular photoswitches for precise light-controlled biological interventions, alongside medicinal chemistry and molecular imaging techniques. This encompasses photoswitchable therapeutics for antibiotic resistance and targeted imaging. Key publications include "Reversible photocontrol of biological systems by the incorporation of molecular photoswitches" (Chemical Reviews, 2013), "Photopharmacology: beyond proof of principle" (Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2014), "Emerging targets in photopharmacology" (Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 2016), "Green-Light-Activatable Penicillin for Light-Dependent Spatial Control of Bacterial Growth, Biofilm Formation, and In Vivo Infection Treatment" (ACS Central Science, 2025), and "Pick a color to control TRP channels" (Nature Chemical Biology, 2026). He has secured ERC Synergy Grants and contributes to initiatives aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being.