Dr. Judith Aponte, is the first Hispanic graduate from the Columbia University School of Nursing PhD program (previously the DNSc program). She is a Hispanic bilingual (English and Spanish) nurse, educator and researcher conducts research studies on Hispanics with diabetes; examines diabetes and diabetes-related issues affecting Hispanic subgroups with diabetes; and compares the difference among Hispanic subgroups with diabetes. She mentors and includes Hispanic nurses and nursing students on her research team, presents with them on research findings, and includes them on publications emerging from the research.