# Sarah Gao > Biologist, Designer, Illustrator, Science Communicator Location: San Francisco, California, United States Profile: https://flows.cv/sarahgao For many years, I've worked as a UX / Product Designer in agencies, startups, and large corporations. I'm well-versed in every step of the design process and have led many projects and teams to deliver successful products. A few years ago, I decided to take the leap to pursue a lifelong dream and earned my Master of Science degree in Biology. Since then, I've worked in academia, science, and government as both a scientist and a designer. While this has been a uniquely challenging time, I’m a quick learner with a penchant for being able to break down complex topics and communicate them to broader audiences. This expertise has proved invaluable in spaces that are notorious for poor design and communication. I am incredibly passionate about addressing the ongoing climate crisis and seek every opportunity to apply my skills towards climate advocacy. I'm also interested in reshaping how everyday people connect with, value, and contribute to science, a historically opaque and inaccessible field. As both a designer and scientist, I believe I have just the right blend of unique expertise to help bridge the gaps between research bodies, policymakers, and the average person. My work is also guided by equity and justice — a more resilient future that works for everyone requires more diverse leaders and perspectives. I am very self-driven, personable, passionate, and quick to learn and am always looking for new opportunities to do meaningful work. Please reach out if you'd like to chat more! ## Work Experience ### Senior Product Designer @ Sofar Ocean Jan 2025 – Present | San Francisco, California, United States ### Organizer @ Climate Changemakers Jan 2023 – Present | San Francisco, California, United States ### Lead Interaction Designer @ Punchcut Jan 2024 – Jan 2025 | San Francisco, California, United States ### Interdisciplinary Data Scientist @ U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Jan 2023 – Jan 2024 ### Product Designer @ InstaSecure Jan 2023 – Jan 2024 ### Science Fellow @ Midstory Jan 2021 – Jan 2023 ### Illustrator @ California Academy of Sciences Jan 2022 – Jan 2022 Helped to illustrate and develop a children's coloring book for California Academy of Science's Gulf of Guinea project. The coloring book will be distributed to communities in São Tomé and Príncipe and features many important native species found nowhere else in the world. The book is also being translated into portuguese and creole, languages spoken by local communities. The larger project seeks to understand the incredible biodiversity found on the islands which will help inform conservation efforts. ### Teaching Assistant @ University of San Francisco Jan 2021 – Jan 2021 | San Francisco, California, United States Genetics I Lab (undergraduate), Bioinformatics (graduate) ### Brand Studio Experience Designer II @ Google Jan 2021 – Jan 2021 | San Francisco, California, United States ### Senior Product Design Contractor @ DoorDash Jan 2020 – Jan 2020 | San Francisco, California, United States ### Senior Interaction Designer @ Punchcut Jan 2019 – Jan 2019 | San Francisco Bay Area ### Senior Product Designer @ Crowdpac Jan 2017 – Jan 2019 | San Francisco, CA ### Volunteer & Community Lead @ Friends of the Earth U.S. Jan 2017 – Jan 2017 Working with Friends of the Earth US to establish a local community of concerned citizens in the Bay area. We organize action events to protect our health, environment, and future. ### Interaction Designer @ Odopod, A Nurun Company Jan 2014 – Jan 2017 | San Francisco Bay Area ### Water's Edge Intern @ Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium Jan 2013 – Jan 2013 | Pittsburgh, PA ### Product Design Intern @ Venmo Jan 2013 – Jan 2013 | Greater New York City Area ### Product Design Intern @ Miso Jan 2012 – Jan 2012 ## Education ### Master of Science - MS in Biology University of San Francisco Jan 2020 – Jan 2022 ### Bachelor of Humanities and Arts in Industrial Design & Psychology Carnegie Mellon University Jan 2010 – Jan 2014 ### Naperville Central High School Jan 2006 – Jan 2010 ## Contact & Social - LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hellosarahgao - Portfolio: https://sarahgao.com - Portfolio: https://instagram.com/crocodilechild --- Source: https://flows.cv/sarahgao JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/sarahgao/resume.json Last updated: 2026-03-25