Cristal Salatas
Doctoral candidate Cristal Salatas is investigating how nutrition, environmental factors, and sociodemographic factors influence preterm births in New Zealand.
Key facts
Programme: PhD
Research topic: Investigating how maternal nutrition is associated with
preterm birth in New Zealand
Supervisor: Professor Frank Bloomfield, Professor Clare Wall (FMHS), Dr Luling Lin, and Dr Tanith Alexander
Cristal Salatas, a doctoral candidate in Perinatal Sciences from the Dominican Republic, is investigating factors contributing to preterm births in New Zealand. Her innovative research employs Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to create a data-driven map showing the distribution of preterm births across the country from 2003 to 2021. This map integrates a range of factors, from maternal nutrition and environmental conditions to socio-demographic data and significant events such as natural disasters. By identifying patterns associated with premature births, Cristal’s work aims to provide healthcare providers and policymakers with evidence-based insights to support targeted interventions, ultimately working to reduce preventable preterm births and improve long-term health outcomes.
So then we can tell the experts, the healthcare providers and the district health boards, so we can prevent the statistics getting worse.
To learn more about Cristal's research and how she hopes it will help prevent preterm births in New Zealand, read our news story, Map to target NZ's rising preterm birth rates.
In 2023, Cristal entered the Liggins Institute's Three Minute Thesis heat. Watch the video for a three-minute elevator pitch presentation on her research topic.
The International Office interviewed Cristal about her student experience at the University of Auckland. Visit her student profile to learn what she enjoys about studying in Auckland and why she chose the Liggins Institute.