California Academy of Sciences Announces New Chief Innovation Officer

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (May 22, 2025) — The California Academy of Sciences is delighted to announce that Sina Mossayeb, PhD, has been named the institution’s first Chief Innovation Officer. Mossayeb brings extensive experience in innovation, product leadership, and human-centered design to the Academy, as well as a proven track record of fostering collaborative teams and impactful initiatives. Throughout his career, he has consistently focused on reshaping legacy industries such as healthcare, education, and technology to create meaningful, lasting change.

“As a beloved, 172-year-old San Francisco museum and research institution, the Academy, like all resilient organizations, must continue to evolve," said Scott Sampson, executive director of the California Academy of Sciences. "To successfully fulfill our regeneration mission in a rapidly changing world, we must grow our capacity to adapt and innovate. So we are very excited to announce the hire of Sina Mossayeb as our inaugural Chief Innovation Officer. Sina brings deep expertise in the creative process, deep experience leading product development, together with boundless energy and bold ideas. We look forward to all that he will bring to the organization!”

Before joining the Academy, Mossayeb worked as Head of Product and Design for Software at Evolv Technology, where he led teams in developing mobile apps and AI-driven solutions that aimed to improve safety and security outcomes. At IDEO, his collaborative approach enabled him to effectively engage with stakeholders from Fortune 500 companies, governmental agencies, and educational nonprofits. He notably co-established an innovation lab in Peru through IDEO, dedicated to addressing complex business challenges and emerging markets through empathy-driven innovation.

At Expa, Mossayeb helped startups build their products with human-centered design principles, encouraging innovative approaches to reimagining startup development. At Medable, he worked to rethink the human experience by decentralizing and democratizing clinical trials, aiming for broader and more inclusive patient participation. His consultancy work with USAID further highlights his ability to apply rigorous research and empathetic design strategies to significant global humanitarian issues, emphasizing sustainability and inclusivity.

Mossayeb earned his PhD from Columbia University, grounding his practice in behavioral sciences, systemic innovation, and ethical, human-centered methodologies. He is passionate about integrating emerging technologies such as generative AI responsibly and inclusively. He also actively champions inclusive education through his service on the Board of Directors of Roots Connect, on which he has served since 2017.