# Natalie Isak

> Machine Learning Engineer @ Microsoft | Responsible AI

Location: New York City Metropolitan Area, United States
Profile: https://flows.cv/natalieisak

I am a Machine Learning Engineer passionate about building scalable, modular AI solutions that drive meaningful change. Grounded in engineering fundamentals, I design and develop cutting-edge AI technologies that evolve with today’s rapidly changing landscape.

With 4+ years of hands-on expertise in machine learning methodologies and tools, I have designed and implemented RAG services, online and offline ML predictive pipelines, multimodal AI solutions, and more. I bring deep expertise in PyTorch, Transformers, CNNs, and the Azure stack. My current focus is in AI safety and security, detecting high risk AI vulnerabilities.

My research background spans both academia and industry. Notably, I have four patents pending for innovations in the LLM agent space. This experience has sharpened my ability to create transformative technologies that bridge theory and practice.

As a part-time lead for Microsoft’s company-wide compliance process for Responsible AI in generative AI, I lead critical efforts in RAI policy implementation. My responsibilities include architecture reviews, harm analyses, red-teaming, and documentation reviews to help teams deliver AI products that prioritize safety, security, and transparency.

I am deeply committed to sharing knowledge and fostering inclusivity in tech. Through initiatives like Girls Who Code and Microsoft TEALs, I mentor women and other underrepresented groups in computer science and AI.

## Work Experience
### Software Engineer 2 @ Microsoft
Jan 2024 – Present
AI Safety
- Detecting AI safety and security risks in Microsoft AI products
- Research and productization of novel AI defense techniques (see - https://arxiv.org/abs/2509.05608) 
- Lead product teams through the company-wide Gen AI RAI compliance processes

AI Product
Advancing agentic capabilities for Microsoft Copilot Studio (https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/power-platform/blog/power-apps/new-smart-paste-makes-filling-forms-as-easy-as-copy-paste/)

### Machine Learning Engineer @ Microsoft
Jan 2022 – Jan 2024 | Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
Microsoft AI Development Acceleration Program (MAIDAP), https://www.microsoftnewengland.com/maidap/ 

Spring 2024: Office of the CTO (OCTO)
- Developed open-source Semantic Kernel agent framework: https://github.com/microsoft/semantic-kernel/commit/ce6ccd7e86be3a8130f5cf9724fa5e22fe17c3f1
- Filed three patents following the research findings 

Fall 2023: Microsoft Digital (MSD) 
- Scoped and implemented a new AI Plugin for M365 Chat that is projected to alleviate up to 80% of the benefits support queue by streamlining answer-finding and discovery of new HR benefits.
- Leveraged RAG architecture, ACS, Cognitive Services, and OpenAI services

Spring 2023: Azure Machine Learning and Microsoft Research https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/machinelearningblog/debug-object-detection-models-with-the-responsible-ai-dashboard/3825658 
- Added full stack support for object detection scenario within Responsible AI Dashboard, i.e. programmatic generation of explainability visualizations.
- Released the feature to public preview at Microsoft Build
- Proactively sought feedback from external customers, feature was estimated to reduce development time by >50%

Fall 2022: Business Applications Platform (BAP)
- Designed and implemented a new ML pipeline for a Smart News feed using AI Builder (AzureML), which simplified the onboarding process for new customers (saving 6 weeks of engineering cycles per customer)
- Coordinated data and integrated responses from 3 new APIs: Bing, Cognitive Services Named Entity Recognition, and Module Execution Framework.

### Head Consultant @ Cornell University College of Engineering
Jan 2021 – Jan 2022 | Ithaca, New York, United States

### Undergraduate Student Researcher @ Cornell University College of Engineering
Jan 2020 – Jan 2022 | Ithaca, New York, United States
Collaborated with a team of researchers to standardize networking processes using OCaml

### SWE Intern @ Microsoft
Jan 2021 – Jan 2021 | Seattle, Washington, United States

### Computer Science Instructor @ Juni Learning
Jan 2020 – Jan 2021
Led lessons on foundational computer science principles (~8 lessons/week)

### Data Science Intern @ Tesla
Jan 2020 – Jan 2020
- Designed and built an automated machine learning model to predict the frequency of vehicle order cancellations using SQL and Python 
- Ideated and created various Tableau visualizations of cancellation predictions for senior engineers and the director of data analytics 
- Built data pipelines to source, transform, and transfer data into EDW

### SWE Intern (UberSTAR) @ Uber
Jan 2020 – Jan 2020 | San Francisco, California, United States
- Integrated an external vendor’s API in Java for a new rider verification feature based on validating government-issued ID (projected to reduce rider to driver conflict by 15%)
- Implemented the fuzzy matching library in Uber’s codebase
- Wrote extensive, configurable integration tests in Golang
- Ideated and created a new SOS feature in a hackathon with 3 other interns

### Consultant (Teacher's Assistant) @ Cornell University College of Engineering
Jan 2019 – Jan 2020 | Ithaca, New York Area
- Answered questions regarding fundamental computing concepts during office hours 3 times a week
- Graded assignments and exams

### Technical Analyst/Information Technology Intern @ Havas Health & You
Jan 2019 – Jan 2019 | Greater New York City Area
- Optimized the business card creation process by building a request/approval form in the IT services site using HTML and C#
- Imaged, backed up, and troubleshot PCs and Macs
- Wrote an instructional manual for executives on how to use company software

### Journalist @ Scarsdale10583
Jan 2018 – Jan 2018 | Greater New York City Area
- Researched, interviewed, and published 2-4 articles a week (education)

To read some of my articles, visit, http://scarsdale10583.com/the-goods/6986-seniors-explore-the-world-of-work-during-senior-options
http://scarsdale10583.com/section-table/30-neighborhood-news/7013-shs-seniors-embark-on-paths-less-traveled

### Counselor @ Lumos Debate
Jan 2018 – Jan 2018 | Greater New York City Area
- Responsible for approximately 20 campers ages 9-14
- Led lessons about argumentation strategies and structure, current events, and perceptual dominance

### Journalism Internship @ Scarsdale Inquirer
Jan 2018 – Jan 2018 | Greater New York City Area
I was responsible for researching and writing approximately 1-2 articles per week, usually pertaining to the education sector. I gained hands-on experience interviewing sources and pitching ideas as well.

### Summer Internship @ Anu
Jan 2017 – Jan 2017 | Tel Aviv Area, Israel
Anu is one of the most influential platforms for social activism in Israel. Its campaigns are apolitical and secular, advocating for a variety of issues including women’s empowerment, early childhood education, water conservation, and promoting a fair gas deal. My responsibilities included writing case studies on different campaigns concerning marine environmental conservation and women’s empowerment in local elections, writing grants, and setting up their new website.


## Education
### Bachelor of Science - BS in Computer Science
Cornell Duffield College of Engineering
Jan 2018 – Jan 2022

### High School Diploma
Scarsdale Senior High School
Jan 2014 – Jan 2018


## Contact & Social
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/natalie-isak

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Source: https://flows.cv/natalieisak
JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/natalieisak/resume.json
Last updated: 2026-03-23