Samantha Bunke

Sam Bunke (she/her) is a PhD candidate in Chemical Engineering working in the Tarpeh Lab. Her research involves developing novel adsorbents for selective lithium recovery from lithium-ion battery waste in order to support the transition to renewable energy. Sam also works on electrochemical-assisted recycling of common plastics, such as PET, back to their original feedstock to circularize the plastics industry. Sam is passionate about sustainable waste management and applying a multidisciplinary approach to generate circular economies from waste streams. Outside of the lab, Sam works as a Sustainability Intern for Stanford’s Residential and Dining Enterprises department, which has allowed her to plan a campus-wide lithium-ion battery waste collection event, develop the vision for a brand new Zero Waste Education Center on campus, and participate in human behavioral studies focusing on landfill waste reduction. In the past two years, Sam has also served on the Chemical Engineering Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee and the Engineering Dean’s Graduate Student Advisory Council, and she hopes to continue advocating for environmental and waste justice in her work going forward.