Blanca Fuster Tarragó, an international exchange student from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, has made a lasting mark during her time at UC Santa Cruz—earning the prestigious Dean’s and Chancellor’s Undergraduate Research Award for her project, “Reducing Provincial Disparities in Infant Mortality: A Difference-in-Differences Assessment of Plan Nacer’s Effectiveness.”
Discovering and Measuring Impact
Tarragó’s award-winning project, from Professor Eleonora Pasotti’s Urban Politics course, examines Plan Nacer, an Argentinian healthcare initiative designed to address infant mortality disparities across provinces. What fascinated Tarragó was the program’s two-stage rollout: first in low-income provinces where infant mortality was highest, and later expanded nationwide. Using a difference-in-differences econometric model, she analyzed the program’s impact on mortality rates across these regions.
“I looked at how effectively the program reduced infant mortality, and especially if it succeeded in reducing disparities between provinces,” Tarragó said. “It wasn’t just about whether mortality dropped, but whether the gap between wealthier and poorer areas was narrowing.”
Her research found that Plan Nacer significantly improved outcomes in the provinces where it was implemented, offering strong evidence for the program’s localized, preventive approach to maternal and child health.
Tarragó’s interest in the topic was first sparked at UC Santa Cruz by discussions in Politics of Social Policy (POLI 61) and Latin American Politics (POLI 140C) taught by Associate Professor Sari Niedzwiecki. Two quarters later, a research project opportunity in Professor Eleonora Pasotti’s Urban Politics (POLI 153) would prove to be an ideal place for Tarragó to dive deeper and learn more.
Receiving the Dean’s and Chancellor’s Award, Tarragó said, was “very affirming,” especially as an international student. “I felt seen. It was like all the work I’ve done, in both the U.S. and Spain, was recognized. It gave me purpose and showed me that my research can have real value.”
An Ideal Learning Environment
Drawn to the natural beauty and academic exploration that UC Santa Cruz offers, Tarragó chose it as her top destination through Universidad Carlos III de Madrid’s international exchange program and the University of California Education Abroad Program (UCEAP). “I was not only looking forward to academics at UC Santa Cruz, I was looking for a great living experience—being connected with nature,” Tarragó said. “The learning environment that Santa Cruz offers to all students is amazing.”
Once at UC Santa Cruz, Tarragó embraced a new academic culture that contrasted sharply with the one she knew in Spain. “In Spain, I experienced rigid programs that tend not to be focused on student development and exploration,” Tarragó said. “At UC Santa Cruz, I found that professors were willing to help me run with ideas, meet with me, and recommend readings outside the classroom. That was an amazing and unique opportunity.”
Looking Ahead
Tarragó is excited about senior projects, where she can apply all the key insights she has learned from this project and build upon them. She also hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in the U.S. “I’m interested in the Global South and want to keep investigating how different political systems affect citizens’ well-being. We’ve seen that in more progressive systems, especially under social democratic governments, the state plays an active role in guaranteeing social rights, which not only improves individual quality of life but also strengthens the social fabric and the economy as a whole,” Tarragó said.
Blanca Fuster Tarragó’s journey highlights the power of international exchange, faculty-to-student connections, and research to fuel personal growth and contribute meaningfully to global conversations. Her work not only demonstrates academic excellence but also reflects a deep commitment to addressing global health inequities.