Wyatt Arnold
Co-Founder and CEO, Prospect Growth
Wyatt Arnold joins the Breakthrough Energy Fellows program from Prospect Growth in Newton, Massachusetts. Wyatt has expertise in biogeochemistry and hands-on experience from his family farm; he leverages both to lead agricultural community engagement and drive product testing and integration. His doctorate work focused on natural sources of greenhouse gas emissions and included the development of fertilizers to suppress soilborne methane emissions. Wyatt has worked as a field scientist in many environments – from the alpine meadows of Colorado to the lakeshore ravines of Illinois.
Prospect Growth manufactures nanofertilizers that boost crop yields, decrease costly nutrient inputs, and minimize environmental losses. This efficacy stems from the superior bioavailability of nanoparticles, which allow plants to uptake nutrients more efficiently and through more pathways than traditional fertilizers. Prospect Growth has developed a new method for sustainable, low-cost production – unlocking benefits which are supported by over 10+ years of peer-reviewed research. The Fellows program enables the team to grow their manufacturing capacity, aligning output with the scaled demands of agriculture.
When he’s not thinking about fertilizer, Wyatt can be found at the pottery studio, the machine shop, or somewhere outdoors. As with his professional work, his free time involves finding ways to merge his passions for science, engineering, art, and the natural world. Wyatt holds a B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Chicago and a Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical and Environmental Engineering from Yale University.
Q&A
What is your favorite word and why?
“Cracker-Barrel.” Okay, not one word, but they have killer chicken and dumplings, and I dream of the biscuits.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be an architect, but only until I found out that—shockingly—it involved more than just sketching fantastical buildings on a sleek drafting table while looking debonair.
I recently discovered that
Racoons are commendably adept corn thieves (we’ll be fencing in our test plot next year).
More Team Members
