From Learner to Leader: How Zahara Miriam is using her quant skills to build a startup
Zahara Miriam’s journey from software engineering to tech entrepreneurship is a story of continuous learning, collaboration, and leveraging the power of networking. Currently enrolled in WorldQuant University’s Master of Science in Financial Engineering (MScFE) program, Zahara is not only sharpening her skills in machine learning and AI but also building a health tech startup.
Based in London, Zahara learned about WQU’s MScFE program through her network. One of its biggest draws is the focus on Machine Learning and its practical applications like building time series models to analyze and predict stock market shifts and working with GARCH models for portfolio optimization. “I've really been focused on getting to grips with AI and machine learning since there's so much going on in the space right now and I felt that this Program really leveraged a lot of that technology,” Zahara shares.
The Program’s interdisciplinary approach has equipped Zahara with practical skills that extend beyond finance. Integrating these into her entrepreneurial pursuits within the health tech space, she notes, “There is a significant amount of quantitative analysis that is required within both finance and healthcare.” These skills are vital as she builds her health tech startup, which aims to use tech to improve health education for women. In addition to assembling a team, Zahara is currently preparing to showcase her MVP at the Web Summit in Lisbon, where her startup will be featured as an impact startup for its innovation in following the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
As a young professional who has lived and worked in different cities across Europe, Zahara has also enjoyed the diverse and supportive community she encountered at WQU. Building a global network and collaborating with other students through group projects has been a “nice blend between theory and practical applications” and one of her favorite aspects of her learning journey.
For those considering WQU’s MScFE program, Zahara emphasizes the importance of clear goals and practical experience. “Make sure the curriculum aligns with your career aspirations, and if possible, gain hands-on experience alongside your studies,” she advises. She also encourages building a strong professional network and staying curious about new developments in tech. For women, Zahara’s advice is simple: “Don’t be deterred by the gender gap in tech. Seek out mentorship and join networking groups for women in technology to really support you in your journey.”
