Cristina Ciupitu-Plath
MSc, DrPH
School of Natural Health Arts and Sciences
Cristina is a professor and program director of the Department of Public Health at Bastyr University.
Dr. Cristina Ciupitu-Plath is a sociologist and public health professional with more than 8 years of experience in public health research and education. Her main research interests revolve around the health and well-being of pediatric populations and their families, quality of life in patients with chronic conditions, social and cultural diversity, as well as social inequity and stigmatization.
Dr. Ciupitu-Plath holds a BA in Sociology from the West University in Timisoara (Romania), an MSc in Public Health from the Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, and a DrPH from the Berlin Institute of Technology. Before joining our team at Bastyr, Dr. Ciupitu-Plath was working as a research associate at the Institute of Health and Nursing Science in Berlin, Germany.
Her teaching focuses on research methodology, epidemiology, statistics, and social justice. Using her experience in working with diverse students as well as her own cultural immersion experiences, her goal is to train and empower her students to become sensitive and critical public health professionals, who strive to support all members of their communities in attaining the best possible health. In order to do so, she makes it a priority to work closely with both students and fellow faculty members in creating an open, inclusive, and enriching learning atmosphere in which all students can thrive and achieve their highest potential.
Professional affiliations
American Public Health Association
Research philosophy
Dr. Ciupitu-Plath's main research interests revolve around the health and well-being of pediatric populations and their families, quality of life in patients with chronic conditions, health literacy, social and cultural diversity, as well as social inequity and stigmatization. Her sociology and public health training have equipped Dr. Ciupitu-Plath with a solid foundation in both social science and epidemiological research methodologies.
Research Interests
- Bias and stigmatization
- Maternal and Child Health
- Psychosocial Health and Wellbeing
Methodologies
- Survey methodology
- Qualitative research
- Mixed-methods research
- Literature reviews
Research highlights
- Ciupitu, C. C., & Babitsch, B. (2011). Why is it not working? Identifying barriers to the therapy of paediatric obesity in an intercultural setting. J Child Health Care, 15(2), 140-150. doi:10.1177/1367493511403662
- Ciupitu-Plath, C., Gohl, D., Kofahl, C., & Babitsch, B. (2014). Migration and Health Care Utilization in the European Context. In C. Janssen, E. Swart, & T. von Lengerke (Eds.), Health Care Utilization in Germany. Theory, Methodology, and Results (pp. 145-169). New York: Springer Science+Business Media.
- Babitsch, B., Bormann, C., Gohl, D., & Ciupitu-Plath, C. (2014). Gender and Utilization of Health Care Health Care Utilization in Germany. Theory, Methodology, and Results (pp. 101-116). New York: Springer Science+Business Media.
- Ciupitu-Plath, C., Wiegand, S., & Babitsch, B. (2018). The Weight Bias Internalization Scale for Youth: Validation of a Specific Tool for Assessing Internalized Weight Bias Among Treatment-Seeking German Adolescents With Overweight. J Pediatr Psychol, 43(1), 40-51. doi:10.1093/jpepsy/jsx079