Frank Moss (technologist)

Frank Moss
Born	(1949-04-20) April 20, 1949 Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Researcher, entrepreneur, academician, author
Known for	Director of MIT Media Lab (2006–2011), founder of New Media Medicine research group
Notable work	The Sorcerers and Their Apprentices (2011)

Frank Moss is a distinguished researcher, entrepreneur in technology and biotechnology, academician, and author. He held the position of director at the MIT Media Lab from 2006 until 2011, where he also occupied the Wiesner Professorship in the Practice of Media Arts and Sciences and established the New Media Medicine research group.

He wrote The Sorcerers and Their Apprentices: How the Digital Magicians of the MIT Media Lab Are Creating the Innovative Technologies That Will Transform Our Lives (2011).

Between 2007 and 2011, Moss served as a trustee for Princeton University and led its Alumni Affairs Committee; he currently participates on the Leadership Advisory Council for Princeton’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Additionally, he is a trustee at the Jackson Laboratory and contributes to the External Advisory Council at Cincinnati Children's Medical Center's James M. Anderson Center for Health Systems Excellence. Moss has also been involved with the leadership advisory council of the Mayo Clinic Center for Innovation.

Education and early career

Born on April 20, 1949, in Baltimore, Maryland, Moss attended the Baltimore Polytechnic Institute. His father, Sam Moss, was known for hosting a long-running radio program in Baltimore. Moss obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in aerospace and mechanical sciences from Princeton University, followed by a Master’s and PhD in aeronautics and astronautics from MIT. While at MIT's Draper Laboratory, he contributed to designing the prototype digital horizontal flight control system for the Space Shuttle. His exposure to advanced computing and networking technologies during his academic career ignited his interest in their commercial applications, guiding him toward ventures in computer and software industries.

Moss started his professional journey at IBM’s scientific center located in Haifa, Israel, where he also held teaching responsibilities at Technion. He advanced through research and managerial roles at IBM’s Yorktown Heights Research Center with an emphasis on networking and distributed computing before taking executive positions at Apollo Computer Inc. and Lotus Development Corporation.

Career as entrepreneur

Throughout his tenure in computing and software sectors, Moss acted as CEO and chairman of Tivoli Systems Inc., a trailblazer in distributed systems management technology. He led Tivoli through its initial public offering in 1995 before orchestrating its merger with IBM in 1996. As a venture-backed startup, Tivoli successfully competed against larger corporations to establish standards in network and systems management. The acquisition by IBM functioned effectively as a “reverse merger,” transforming Tivoli into IBM’s primary network and systems management division and one of its largest software units, eventually generating revenue in the billions. Moss assumed the role of general manager for Tivoli within IBM and retired as chairman in 1998.

He also co-established several enterprises such as Stellar Computer, Inc., which specialized in graphic supercomputers; and Bowstreet, Inc., an innovator in Web services that was acquired by IBM where Moss served as chairman. Furthermore, he was an advisory board member for nLayers Inc., later purchased by EMC. In 2009, he co-founded Bluefin Labs, which utilized machine learning to deliver real-time television audience analytics through social media data to brands and media companies. Bluefin was acquired by Twitter in 2013 for approximately $100 million.

Beginning in the early 2000s, Moss leveraged his expertise in business and IT to focus on life sciences. His 2011 New York Times editorial titled “Our High-Tech Health-Care Future” foresaw the expansion of digital health technologies. He co-founded Infinity Pharmaceuticals, an early-stage cancer drug discovery company operating at the convergence of technology and life sciences, retiring from its board in 2011. Additionally, he chaired the advisory council responsible for launching Harvard Medical School’s Systems Biology Department and advised startups innovating personal health management solutions such as ginger.io (which merged with Headspace Health), Maxwell Health (acquired by Sun Life Financial), and Audax Health (acquired by Optum).

In 2012, Moss co-founded Twine Health—a spinoff from MIT Media Lab research—focused on digital healthcare platforms that assist patients managing chronic illnesses collaboratively alongside care teams. Fitbit acquired Twine Health in 2018.

From 2016 through 2019, Moss acted as director and strategic advisor to Humatics Inc., a company specializing in micro-location technologies for robotics navigation and industrial automation.

Academic career

In early 2006, Moss assumed the role of director at the MIT Media Lab, where he concentrated on enhancing relationships with sponsors by encouraging collaboration among faculty members, students, and sponsor representatives around mutual research goals. During his tenure, he spearheaded two major projects: the Center for Future Banking, established in partnership with Bank of America, and the Center for Future Storytelling.

Moss broadened the Lab’s research scope beyond digital lifestyle innovations to tackle significant societal issues such as healthcare and disability. He founded and led the New Media Medicine group and initiated the Human 2.0 program to advance this mission.

By 2009, Moss managed the Media Lab’s transition into a newly constructed facility designed by Fumihiko Maki, a structure that reflects the Lab’s core values of openness and transparency.

Current work

As a seasoned author, Moss champions the revitalization of innovation within the United States. He actively engages with startups that utilize Big Data—both structured and unstructured—to drive improvements in health, wealth, and overall well-being.

His current involvement extends to a range of startups aligned with his interests, including ArtLifting, a social enterprise dedicated to empowering artists facing housing insecurity and disabilities, where he holds a directorial position. Additionally, he provides advisory support to companies such as Tamr, Inc., Watershed Informatics, and WEVO Conversion.

Citations

Among his accolades are Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of the Year award and recognition as one of Forbes Magazine's "Leaders for Tomorrow."

External links

• Biography on MIT Media Lab website (Moss served as Director from 2006 to 2011)