Liggins Institute
Dr Simone Watkins is researching the health outcomes for babies born with serious heart conditions in New Zealand.
Dr Simone Watkins was born in Auckland, and her father is from the village of Mo’ototua in Sāmoa.
After completing a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at the University of Auckland in 2011 she went on to train and work as a paediatric doctor. Now she’s back as a doctoral student at the Liggins Institute. Simone’s PhD is funded by a Health Research Council grant.
“I am investigating why outcomes for babies born with life-threatening heart conditions in New Zealand differ by ethnicity. I will be gathering and assessing sets of data relating to these babies and their mothers, as well as interviewing whānau and staff involved in caring for them.”
“My hope is that the information gathered from my thesis can be applied in a wider setting to inform equitable healthcare policies and systems beyond Aotearoa”
“The overarching research goal is to improve equity of health outcomes for babies born with serious heart conditions in New Zealand. However, my hope is that the information gathered from my thesis can be applied in a wider setting to inform equitable healthcare policies and systems beyond Aotearoa.
“The Liggins institute is a well-established research unit with an impressive track record of high achieving PhD students. It equips me with the tools I need to develop as a student and meet my full potential. I feel confident with the oversight from my lead supervisor, who genuinely cares about my research topic and completely understands the doctoral student journey.
“The Liggins Institute also has an inclusive, friendly and diverse student culture, which I enjoy.”
Read more about Dr Watkins' research at the Liggins Institute.