Assistant professor of chemical engineering William Tarpeh ’12 was named a MacArthur Fellow in October. 

The MacArthur Fellowship is an $800,000 unrestricted five-year grant awarded to “individuals who show exceptional creativity and promise for future work,” according to the fellowship’s website. The award is presented to individuals across various disciplines, including art, science and humanities, and is based on a rigorous nomination process. As of this year, there are 44 total Stanford-affiliated members who have been awarded the fellowship.

Tarpeh describes the key mission of his work as devising “electrochemical methods for separating and converting pollutants into products.” 

Tarpeh works on sourcing harmful chemicals, such as nitrogen, sulfur and phosphorus, from wastewater for use in fertilizers and household cleaners. Traditional methods for chemical extraction require significant amounts of energy and chemical input, but Tarpeh’s technologies strive to efficiently source metals and agricultural nutrients.

Tarpeh thinks the award has tremendous impacts in helping bring recognition to this growing field.

“It helps bring awareness to our work on reimagining wastewater, which includes the general public and hopefully young scientists and engineers early in their careers who get excited about this vision,” he wrote in a statement to The Daily. 

“The award also underscores the societal importance of our work, especially with underserved communities and in a political climate where we and many other scientists have experienced grant terminations and other challenges,” Tarpeh wrote. “Most importantly, I am excited about the recognition of so much passion and hard work by my students, collaborators (academic and community-based), and my own community of family and friends who make the work possible.” 

Tarpeh cited his time as a Stanford undergraduate as an inspiration for his work, highlighting the opportunity to participate in Introductory Seminars, or IntroSems, related to water quality engineering, his quarter abroad in South Africa, summer abroad in Mexico and the diverse selection of courses ranging from the history of South Africa to environmental policy. 

He also credited his professors and other mentors’ role in developing his passion to use engineering to tackle big problems, such as large-scale wastewater treatment.

Kristen Abels M.S. ’24, a fifth-year Ph.D. candidate in the Tarpeh Lab, said she appreciates Tarpeh’s clear vision and enthusiasm in guiding research. 

“I was initially drawn to the opportunity to perform impactful work within his group at the intersection of energy and the environment,” she said. “Even with such a large research group, [Tarpeh] always goes the extra mile to ensure that he is there for all of his group members.”

Kindle Williams, a former postdoctoral scholar in the Tarpeh Lab, said that Tarpeh was the reason she pursued a research position. 

“Will is recognized widely not only for being a high-quality and effective researcher and mentor, but primarily for being a great person,” Williams said. “If I can be half the leader he is, I’ll be very happy for my future career.”

Tarpeh himself also offered some words of advice to current Stanford undergrads who are considering pursuing the field of chemical engineering. 

“My first suggestion would be to take my intro to chemical engineering course next quarter! I consider chemical engineering a perspective and skillset that can address challenges in sustainability, human health, and energy,” he wrote. “One of the major advantages of Stanford is an interdisciplinary education with time and space to explore other interests. For me that was African studies, history, and education; think about what it is for you and make sure to soak in all that Stanford has to offer outside of your major and even outside of your classes.” 

Today, Tarpeh said he is motivated by the continued opportunity to improve efficiency in his field. 

“With billions of dollars of potentially useful chemicals being discharged into the environment, there is plenty of work to do to valorize wastewater as useful inputs to other industrial processes,” he said. “I am excited to continue working towards the goal of making wastewater obsolete.”