Meet the Team
Meet the dedicated individuals behind Albanian Trailblazers, each of whom brings unique skills, experiences, and a shared passion for driving positive change.
Co-Founder
Stivi Canka
Stivi is a dedicated student studying Economics and Finance with a Minor in Mathematics at Dalhousie University. As Co-President of Albanian Trailblazers, he brings his expertise and passion for finance to drive transformative impact. With a focus on mentorship and empowering young
Albanian students, Stivi is committed to shaping a brighter future for the next generation of Trailblazers.
Co-Founder, Mentorship Team Coordinator
Arbri Kopliku
Arbri is a first-year grad student at Harvard-MIT studying Medical Engineering and Medical Physics. As Founder and President of the Albanian Students Association at MIT, he will rely on his experience with connecting Albanians abroad to make the Trailblazers as accessible and supportive as possible. Arbri strongly believes in the power of innovation to inspire both learning and critical thinking, and welcomes any recommendations as Co-President of Albanian Trailblazers.
Project Coordinator
Arlind Kaçirani
Arlind is a PhD student at Yale University where his research and teaching focuses on biomolecular phase transitions. He recently graduated summa cum laude from The City College of New York in Chemical Engineering. Arlind is passionate exploring pedagogical ways to make teaching more equitable and is excited to bring his leadership in STEM education and research to the Albanian Trailblazers.
Marketing Coordinator
Serena Canka
Serena Canka is a committed student studying Business Administration and Management at Corvinus University of Budapest. Serving as the Marketing Coordinator of the team, Serena utilizes her knowledge and enthusiasm for marketing to make a meaningful difference. She is dedicated to empowering young individuals and working towards shaping a brighter future for the next generation of trailblazers through effective marketing strategies and a determined approach.
Digital Content Coordinator
Edri Kopliku
Edri is a second-year student at the Vienna University of Technology in Austria studying Computer Engineering. Believing in technology's potential to solve human problems, he aims to explore ways to utilize innovative solutions for social good. Technology's potential to create positive change in Albania is what brings him to the Albanian Trailblazers.
Assistant Project Coordiator
Uljad Bërdica
Uljad is a PhD student at the University of Oxford and a 2022 Rhodes Scholar, specializing in the intersection of Reinforcement Learning and Control Theory with a focus on viscoelastic robots. Passionate about creating ethical and controllable intelligent systems, Uljad aims to align these systems to solve real-world challenges. He is dedicated to helping Albanian students access the necessary tools and education to pursue their visions and intellectual curiosity. Uljad strives to bridge the gap between theoretical research and practical applications, promoting innovation and positive societal impact.
Assistant Mentorship Coordinator
Era Dogani
Era is an undergraduate engineering student at the Cooper Union in NYC. Her interests are Machine Learning and its applications in biotechnology and life sciences. She moved from Tirana to New York at 14 years old and has had extensive experience with mentoring high school students in STEM fields, college application process, and networking. She is excited to be the newest addition to Albanian Trailblazers.