Meet Mariha, an epidemiologist, learning from Richmond, Virginia.
She turned to Coursera “to refresh and expand my epidemiology and data skills… and prepare for doctoral study and applied research that drives health equity.”
Her career path from clinical roles to COVID-19 response and now to cross-border surveillance “wasn’t linear,” but strengthened her commitment to improving population health through data.
As she continued her learning journey, Coursera’s flexibility made it work. “I could learn when it fit my schedule… and still make steady progress,” even alongside her personal and professional responsibilities.
That learning quickly translated into real-world impact at work. “I learned to structure surveys thoughtfully… The survey was cleaner, easier to complete, and engagement noticeably improved.” She also “streamlined case investigation steps” to deliver faster, more actionable insights during outbreaks.
Now preparing for a Doctorate of Public Health, Mariha continues to learn and seize opportunities to apply her knowledge.
✨ Her advice to others: "Don't wait for a perfect moment to start. Set realistic goals, reflect on what works, and treat setbacks as useful information rather than failure."