Zhuldyz Rakhatova

Incoming Business Analyst @ McKinsey | Health Economics & Policy @ Duke University | BSc in Biochemistry

Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill Area

About

Experience

  • Senior Research Analyst at Innovations in Healthcare
    May 2025 - Present · 1 yr 2 mos

    - Redesigned the Innovations in Healthcare's (nonprofit) business model to identify sustainable revenue streams post-Pfizer funding, conducting 30+ expert interviews, benchmarking, and building financial projections with program leads and strategy advisors. - Supported 6 AI health startups by leading 20+ founder and stakeholder interviews, managing needs assessments, and developing tailored strategy briefs. Designed an AI integration framework to guide early-stage startups in scaling within LMIC health systems.

  • Research Assistant at Duke Center for Policy Impact in Global Health
    Nov 2024 - Jun 2025 · 8 mos

    - Built and visualized a global R&D network of 170K clinical trial sites across 16 neglected diseases to identify funding targets for improving access to medicine in low-income countries. - Analyzed $3T in global health R&D flows to spotlight neglected areas and attract private investment, aligning public health impact with commercial opportunity through public-private partnerships.

  • Research Assistant at Dr. Nosayaba Osazuwa-Peters’ Research Group at Duke University Graduate School
    Sep 2024 - Feb 2025 · 6 mos

    Identified strong links between 9 cancer types and anxiety/depression severity using nationwide cancer registries (n=9.5M+), informing policy changes that institutionalized psychosocial care as 6th vital sign in Nigeria and Rwanda.

  • Research Intern at Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology - BIPS
    Sep 2023 - Jun 2024 · 10 mos

    Contributed to the “Implementing Health Apps for Digital Public Health” project using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR); conducted literature reviews on mobile health (mHealth) app implementation for policymaker-oriented reports; and led a patient experience survey while supporting development of a diet-monitoring app aligned with the WHO Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI).

  • Teaching Assistant — Cell Biology & Biochemistry Laboratories at Constructor University
    Sep 2023 - May 2024 · 9 mos

    Supported 100+ students across Cell Biology (under Prof. Sonja Diercks-Horn) and Biochemistry (under Prof. Springer) laboratories. Led experiments in molecular biology (DNA isolation, PCR, agarose gel electrophoresis for GMO detection) and biochemistry (carbohydrate, protease, pigment, protein analysis, yeast fermentation). Managed 4 laboratory rotations of 20+ students, provided hands-on training including microscopy sessions, and enforced laboratory safety protocols. Graded 100+ weekly quizzes, evaluated lab reports, and delivered detailed feedback to strengthen student technical understanding and performance. Prepared reagents, maintained and calibrated laboratory equipment, and contributed to developing procedures and lab manuals to improve workflow and lab efficiency.