Our Team

Dr. Eric A. Appel is an accomplished materials scientist, biomaterials innovator, and academic leader who brings transformative interdisciplinary expertise to The Standard School of Machine Learning. With advanced training from Cal Poly, the University of Cambridge, and MIT, Dr. Appel has built a distinguished career at the intersection of chemistry, polymer science, and biomedical engineering. His work focuses on designing biomimetic polymeric materials that deepen our understanding of biological processes and enable next-generation solutions in healthcare, drug delivery, and regenerative medicine—areas increasingly enhanced by machine learning and computational modeling.

Dr. Appel’s research has produced more than one hundred high-impact publications, over 35 patents, and the foundation for three startup companies, reflecting his commitment to translating scientific discovery into real-world innovation. His academic journey includes prestigious fellowships and awards from the NIH, the Wellcome Trust, the American Cancer Society, the American Diabetes Association, the Hellman Scholars Fund, and the Royal Society of Chemistry. He has also received major recognitions such as the IUPAC Hanwha-Total Young Polymer Scientist Award, the Society for Biomaterials Young Investigator Award, and the Biomaterials Science Lectureship Award.

At TheSSML, Dr. Appel contributes a powerful blend of materials engineering, biological insight, and computational thinking, guiding learners as they explore how intelligent systems and advanced materials can shape the future of healthcare, sustainability, and technology-driven design.