Get to know Noor Qaragholi

Noor Qaragholi’s journey into public health is a story of curiosity, collaboration, and the power of data to drive meaningful change. As a Lead Research Analyst at The Policy and Research Group, Noor has been tackling some of the most pressing public health challenges facing New Orleans and Louisiana since 2016. Her work spans critical areas like the juvenile justice system, safe sex practices for young people, and education. After receiving her MPH in Epidemiology and Biostatistics, she decided to pursue a DrPH in Implementation Science through the Bloomberg Fellowship to continue to make an impact on her community while furthering her education.

At the Policy and Research Group, Noor leads projects that go beyond traditional research. Currently, she is helping develop a new domain called Formative Feedback Evaluations, which will give timely, actionable insights to improve programs as they go. She likens her work to solving puzzles—”taking data, piecing it together, and using it to tell stories that inspire action.” 

One such project was a qualitative assessment on rising syphilis rates in Louisiana. Interviewing over 80 people, she uncovered how stigma and systemic barriers often prevent people from accessing care. Hearing one participant’s story about the challenges she faced while seeking care for herself and her child reinforced Noor’s commitment to addressing inequities. Another proud moment was spearheading an HIV needs assessment in partnership with Louisiana’s Department of Health. This effort highlighted gaps in services, like oral health care, and directly influenced the creation of an insurance program tailored for people living with HIV. 

As a Bloomberg Fellow, Noor has found a network that fuels her passion and broadens her perspective. She describes the fellowship as “more than just an academic experience—it’s a community.” 

Looking to the future, Noor hopes to help organizations make better use of their data—not just to answer questions, but to spark actionable solutions to improving health. .