Florida stands as a shining example of ambition, expertise, and dedication, carving her path in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence with intelligence and grace. From leading complex AI projects to mentoring the next generation of innovators, she embodies the values of leadership, innovation, and social responsibility that define today’s forward-thinking professionals.
As Editor-in-Chief of Whoman Magazine, I had the privilege of meeting Florida in Montreal a few weeks ago. After years of exchanging messages and ideas, our face-to-face conversation offered a rare glimpse into her daily life, her motivations, and the principles that guide her groundbreaking work in AI. What struck me most was her unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology while ensuring that its applications remain thoughtful, impactful, and human-centered.
Through our discussion, it became clear that Florida’s influence extends far beyond her technical expertise. She is a role model for aspiring AI professionals, an advocate for equitable opportunities in tech, and a connector, bridging ideas and people with remarkable clarity and purpose. Her journey, marked by resilience, vision, and innovation, makes her a truly inspiring figure whose story resonates with professionals across disciplines.
In this issue, we celebrate Florida not only as a distinguished AI professional but as a trailblazer whose work and values continue to shape the future of technology and empower those around her.


Your academic journey spans a diverse range of fields, from Biotechnology and Political Sciences to Population Health. How have these disciplines influenced your approach to research, and how do they intersect in your current work on artificial intelligence?

This is a question I get asked a lot, and I can understand why. It can sound a bit unexpected when I describe my academic background and professional experience. I’ve always been deeply curious about how things work, whether that’s in the sciences, in technology or in society. I was fascinated by biology but equally drawn to how policies can be used as tools for social good. So, I decided to explore both paths to see where they might lead me. I started my journey in biotechnology, doing research in molecular biology while also studying political science. Later, I pursued a master’s in interdisciplinary health, where I focused on the social and policy aspects of health. Over time, I also had opportunities to learn about design, product development, and leadership through programs at institutions like Harvard and the Copenhagen Institute of Interaction Design. Eventually, I completed my doctoral studies in public health. To be completely honest, there were many moments along the way when I felt a bit of an identity crisis too. We’re often encouraged to follow a straight path, stay within the “swim lanes” that make it easy to label what we do. And I didn’t fit neatly into one, so it took time for me to realize that the defining thread of career path has been my relentless curiosity and love of learning. Now, I’m genuinely grateful for that diversity of experience because it’s given me a broader lens for understanding complex issues. Every transition I’ve experienced, from lab work to policy research to design and product development, has taught me to look at problems from multiple perspectives. That interdisciplinary way of thinking has become central to how I approach research today, especially in artificial intelligence, where the questions are complex and deeply multifaceted in nature.

As a principal researcher at Microsoft, you’re now bridging the world of technology with your academic background. How has your experience in academia shaped your approach to solving product and user experience challenges in the tech industry, especially in a company like Microsoft?

As I mentioned earlier, artificial intelligence is multifaceted and touches nearly every aspect of our lives. It’s incredibly powerful and already helping us address some of the world’s toughest challenges. AI is changing how we work, learn, collaborate, and even how we connect with one another. It is rapidly transforming the world we live in, and I feel genuinely fortunate to be at Microsoft during such transformative time, especially given the company’s commitment to developing AI responsibly.
As a researcher, my focus is on understanding how AI can meet real human needs and solve meaningful problems, while also ensuring that we remain thoughtful about its broader implications. A big part of my work involves  challenging the idea that AI is neutral or infallible, and helping teams stay grounded in the big why; why we’re building something, who it’s for, and what impact it will have. I see my role as helping to balance innovation with empathy and accountability. My academic background has deeply shaped this approach. Academia taught me to think critically, question assumptions, and value evidence and nuance. It also nurtured a deep sense of curiosity. I’m always asking “why” and “so what?”, which help me, and the teams I work with, reflect on the human dimensions of this technology to ensure we’re building solutions that truly make a positive difference.

You’re a passionate advocate for health equity and empowering young girls in STEM. Could you share some of the key moments or experiences that have motivated you to take up these causes, and how do you envision making a lasting impact in these areas?

My own experiences have been a big motivator for my involvement in science outreach. I’ve shared before that I grew up in Albania, where labs were almost nonexistent and technology was quite outdated. I didn’t have a computer at home, and I learned how to use Microsoft Office by memorizing and hand-drawing the screens and commands. I loved chemistry, but I never held a flask or test tube until I started university. To this day, I still remember how embarrassed and lost I felt on my first day in the lab, being the only one among my peers who had never set foot in one before. A few years later, I had the privilege of appearing on Daily Planet on the Discovery Channel. I remember the host, Dan Riskin, introducing me as a “young scientist,” which made me feel so proud and accomplished as a young woman. But what stayed with me most from that experience was a behind-the-scenes conversation about the impact it could have for young viewers to see someone young like me doing the science demo. That conversation has stayed with me ever since, because it made me realize how much we need role models early in life, and how unknowingly we may become role models to others. Even though I’ve been fortunate to progress in my career, I know how a lack of access, role models, and encouragement can quietly hold someone back. That’s why I’m so passionate about helping create more equitable opportunities, especially for young girls, to explore science and technology. If I can play even a small part in sparking curiosity or supporting someone to follow their passion, I would consider it a true privilege.


Your own academic research has explored a variety of issues related to sexual and reproductive health, from Albania to Canada. What common challenges or themes do you see emerging in your work with different  populations, and how can policies or programs be better tailored to address these issues effectively?

Health and public health are two areas I care deeply about because they’re truly at the foundation of our wellbeing,  both as individuals and as societies. When people are healthy, they’re more likely to thrive, contribute, and engage in their communities, and that collective wellbeing strengthens everything from our economies to our social fabric. At the same time, health interventions can be complex and resource-intensive, and their benefits often take time to show. Because of this, policy decisions sometimes shift focus elsewhere, which can make it challenging to sustain investments in long-term health outcomes. My academic work has focused primarily on women’s and youth’s health, two groups that are often overlooked, though in different ways across the world. Women’s reproductive healthcare, in particular, tends to be politicized and underfunded, which leads to disparities in both access and outcomes. These issues are global, but their shape and severity depend greatly on the local sociopolitical and cultural context. In Albania, for instance, women often face barriers to care not only because of limited services, but also because of fear of judgment, stigma, or misinformation. Youth encounter similar challenges, as health systems rarely prioritize their unique needs. I’ve been fortunate to work with communities in Albania, during a period of immense change, and I’ve learned so much from listening to their stories and perspectives. Ultimately, health is not just about biology or genetics, but also deeply social and cultural. I believe that by understanding local contexts and listening closely to people’s lived experiences such as those of women and youth in Albania, we can design policies and programs that are not only more effective, but also more compassionate and equitable.

As someone who has dedicated part of your career to improving teaching methodologies, how do you see the future of higher education evolving in terms of student engagement and teaching innovation, especially in the ontext of today’s rapidly changing world?

We’ve been talking for years about the need to rethink education, and I think that’s become even more urgent in today’s world. Over time, we’ve seen growing challenges within academia such as issues of cost, accessibility, and questions about the purpose of higher education in a rapidly changing economy. The rise of AI, the global pandemic, the flood of information (and misinformation) on social media, and shifting job markets have all pushed us to reflect more deeply on what higher education truly offers. I believe academia now has a unique opportunity to reimagine how it brings meaningful value to students, especially in a world where access to knowledge and information has become so much easier and cheaper thanks to technology.
At the same time, I think we have a collective responsibility to uphold rigor and integrity in how knowledge is generated and shared, especially as new technologies like AI reshape how we learn and create. Formal education will always have an important place, but perhaps what needs to evolve is how we define the purpose of higher education. For a long time, higher education has been seen mainly as a path to employment, and maybe now is the moment to broaden that view and see it as a lifelong space for curiosity, critical thinking, and personal growth. I don’t think we talk enough about academia’s quiet but profound contributions to innovation. Every tool and technology we rely on today is built, in some way, on the work of scholars and researchers who have spent decades pursuing discovery in their fields.

We simply wouldn’t be able to innovate without that foundation of academic research, and I think that’s something worth honoring and protecting. I also continue to believe that there’s no substitute for mentorship, human connection, and the sense of discovery that comes from learning alongside passionate educators who dedicate their lives to advancing knowledge. Young people will always need that kind of space to grow and explore, and our societies will always need environments that nurture both learning and innovation. So universities are indeed facing some of the greatest challenges to their traditional models, but I see this as a moment of possibility. These institutions have accomplished so much over centuries, and while parts of the system may need reimagining, I think this evolution can make them even more impactful for future generations.