To celebrate the achievements of our soon-to-be graduates, News@Wilkes will highlight stand-out seniors throughout senior week and in the week following commencement.
Alex Ponce
Doctor of Pharmacy
Nesbitt School of Pharmacy
Hometown: Oley, Pa.
Activities and Achievements: Ponce served as president of the National Community Pharmacists Association and the chair of Generation Rx. He also participated in Industry Pharmacists Organization, American Pharmacist Association, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, the honor society Phi Lambda Sigma and Rho Chi. Ponce served as a teaching assistant for general chemistry, anatomy and physiology and as a supplemental instructor for organic chemistry. He coordinated 33 different community service events. Ponce worked with Ka Lok Hong, assistant professor of pharmaceutical sciences, to identify and characterize a DNA aptamer that would bind atrazine. He also worked with Thomas Franko, assistant professor of pharmacy practice, on a study entitled, “The Beliefs and Attitudes of Pharmacists toward the Dispensing of Naloxone.”
Noteworthy: Ponce planned a medication take-back event in spring 2017. Since then, he has coordinated two additional take-back events collecting more than 250 pounds of unwanted, unused, or expired medications.
Favorite part of the Wilkes experience: “My favorite aspect of Wilkes University is the supportive faculty and family-like learning environment. I also felt as though I was supported with whatever I wanted to do in addition to being pushed to become the best that I can be.”
Future plans: Ponce will complete a pharmacy residency at the University of Maryland in Baltimore.
