Nori Zaccheo, a P2 pharmacy major with a concentration in public health, shows a true example of following her passion, curiosity and love for learning. Zaccheo is a nontraditional student who earned bachelor degrees in chemistry and forensic science and a master’s degree in forensic science from Syracuse University. With three degrees already under her belt, a personal experience led her to pursue her doctor of pharmacy degree at Wilkes University.
“I was prescribed medication that should not have been prescribed to me, and I went through a very difficult time,” says Zaccheo. “I didn’t want anyone else to go through what I went through with medication, so I wanted to go to pharmacy school.”
A native of Scranton, Pennsylvania, Zaccheo knew Wilkes had a strong reputation and liked that it was close to home. The small class sizes and opportunities for hands-on research experience helped to make Wilkes the right fit. Zaccheo was also pleasantly surprised that the Nesbitt School of Pharmacy taught more than just science.
“It was not at all what I thought it was going to be. I’m learning a lot of other things related to health care, such as interacting with patients and how to care for them overall,” she says. “I’m very analytical and Wilkes teaches you how to provide quality patient care.”
It is evident that Zaccheo is learning from these lessons and is making an impact on her patients and their health care experiences.
“Nori is kind and compassionate, and also treats her patients with respect and professionalism,” says Marie Roke Thomas, professor and chair of pharmaceutical sciences. “She is highly motivated and I have always been impressed with her academic curiosity.”
Zaccheo’s academic curiosity led her to a research opportunity with Ashrafur Rahman, assistant professor of pharmaceutical sciences. The project focused on neurodegenerative conditions in mice and the role antioxidants play in memory.
“We have good data right now suggesting that different combinations of antioxidants can improve mouse memory in these neurodegenerative models,” says Zaccheo.
“Throughout her tenure, she demonstrated exceptional discipline, a deep intellectual curiosity about mastering research methodologies and a strong commitment to collaborative efforts,” says Rahman. “Her professionalism, analytical mindset and dedication to scientific inquiry mark her as a highly promising emerging professional in the field.”
Zaccheo also conducts research with Roke Thomas and Mary McManus, associate professor of pharmaceutical sciences, to study health literacy gaps in different populations. To Zaccheo, Roke Thomas is not just a mentor, but more like a mother figure.
“If I’m stressed after an exam, I’m calling her,” she says. “She also taught me the importance of being involved. I thought I already was involved before I came here, and I got even more involved, and it’s the best thing.”
To say that Zaccheo is involved is an understatement — both academically and outside of Wilkes. She serves as a member of the Northeast Pennsylvania Area Health Education Center and participates in an interdisciplinary public health scholar cohort with other health care students in the area. She is also a member of the Phi Lambda Sigma Pharmacy Leadership Society, president of the American Pharmacists Association – Academy of Student Pharmacists, vice president of national pharmacy honor society Rho Chi, student ambassador and curriculum standing committee representative for the NSOP, professional development ambassador for Kappa Psi – Delta Omicron Chapter, secretary of Pennsylvania Pharmacist Association and is the fundraising coordinator for American Society of Health System Pharmacists and Student National Pharmaceutical Association. She is also the class president for the academic year 2024-25.
“Nori’s dedication to the profession and her colleagues is exceptional. She is involved in multiple student pharmacy organizations, serving as a leader for many of them,” says Jonathan Ference, dean of the NSOP. “She has an enthusiasm for pharmacy that is unparalleled and I am confident that she will serve as an asset to her patients, her colleagues, her community and our profession.”
Zaccheo aspires to be like Dean Ference, who taught her the importance of building a network of support in the campus community; to find the people she can rely on.
“Dean Ference is always there when you need him and he is always accessible,” says Zaccheo. “He genuinely cares about his students and takes his role very seriously, with character and passion. I hope to be like that one day.”
On top of Zaccheo’s service and leadership, she holds part-time jobs as an adjunct professor at Lackawanna College and Keystone College and as a remote tutor for Summit Educational Group. If she has free time, she makes jewelry and sells to local businesses.
“I see my jobs as a break from studying, so going to work and teaching a lecture is calming to me,” says Zaccheo. “That’s where I think I’m the best version of myself. It doesn’t feel like a job.”
Zaccheo finds time and manages her seemingly impossible schedule with an efficient personal planning system. Her color-coded calendars and planners (one for work and one for school) are marked fastidiously and labeled for different classes, events, meetings, tasks, work days, exams and due dates.
“I thrive when my brain is on,” she says. “I love learning, I love teaching, I love my classes… I definitely feel stressed before exams sometimes, but I truly love learning and that makes it so much easier.”
Coming up for Zaccheo is a summer internship with Geisinger where she plans to explore hospital pharmacy and decide between ambulatory or clinical care.
She hopes to complete a year of residency to gain more experience in pharmacy. Her ultimate goal is to become a pharmacy professor with a practice site in a hospital setting where she gets to work with patients. She credits Kimberly Ference, associate professor of pharmacy practice, as mentor who’s instrumental in helping her to become a pharmacy professor one day.
“Nori is a high-achieving student with a genuine passion for learning and growing as a professional,” says Kimberly Ference. I’ve enjoyed connecting with her about her interest in academia and look forward to watching her achieve her goals.”
Until then, Zaccheo will continue to stay involved, learn, teach and lean on her strong networks for encouragement. She knows that no matter what, she has the resources and mentorship to thrive at Wilkes.
“Support and guidance comes from all directions in the pharmacy school,” says Zaccheo.