Francisco J. Ayala, DNP, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, EBP-C, is an assistant professor in the Department of Graduate Studies at Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth Houston. He earned his Doctor of Nursing Practice degree and a Post-Master’s Certificate in Nursing Education from Duke University, a Master of Science in Nursing from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Houston Baptist University.

Dr. Ayala’s clinical expertise focuses on the management of chronic conditions in adult populations, with particular emphasis on caring for individuals from low-income and underserved communities. His practice is grounded in evidence-based, patient-centered care and is dedicated to improving access to care, improving health outcomes, and supporting long-term disease management among vulnerable populations.

His Doctor of Nursing Practice scholarly project emphasized the dissemination and translation of DNP scholarship to advance clinical practice and improve healthcare outcomes.