Eric Appel

Eric Appel is an Associate Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Stanford University, with courtesy appointments in Pediatrics (Endocrinology) and Bioengineering. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Woods Institute for the Environment. His research focuses on biomimetic polymeric materials for healthcare solutions, including drug delivery, tissue engineering, and vaccine optimization. He holds a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Cambridge (2012), an MS in Polymer Science from Cal Poly SLO (2008), and a BS in Chemistry from the same institution (2008). His postdoctoral work at MIT with Robert Langer advanced supramolecular biomaterials.

Key research interests include injectable hydrogels for sustained drug delivery, anti-inflammatory biomaterials, and immunomodulatory technologies. He has pioneered depot hydrogels that enhance vaccine efficacy and reduce administration frequency. His work bridges polymer chemistry, immunology, and clinical translation, with over 100 publications and 35 patents. Three startups have emerged from his lab, commercializing technologies like ocular drug delivery systems and antimicrobial polymers.

Notable awards include the IUPAC Hanwha-Total Young Polymer Scientist Award (2022), Society for Biomaterials Young Investigator Award (2023), and Royal Society of Chemistry’s Biomaterials Science Lectureship (2023). His labs focus on translating biomaterials into clinical applications, with projects addressing diabetes management, wildfire protection via advanced hydrogels, and cancer immunotherapy improvements. He collaborates broadly across engineering, medicine, and environmental science.