Marquette L. Cannon-Babb received her Doctor of Pharmacy in 1975 and her Bachelor of Science in 1973 from The Philadelphia College of Pharmacy & Science (now at St. Joseph's University). She completed a residency at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in 1975. After being hired by Temple University, she spent the next four decades employed in both a spiritual and intellectual endeavor, culminating in her roles as professor and assistant dean for admissions.

Dr. Cannon-Babb was the first African American to be hired by the School of Pharmacy on a presidential appointment with tenure. She also served as the pharmacy consultant for the Merk Manual of Geriatrics and as co-principal investigator for the Health Careers Opportunity Program.

Dr. Cannon-Babb has presented professional presentations on topics such as medication, aging and common drug interactions, medication/substance abuse in the elderly, prime time health, ambulatory care in geriatrics, maintaining the continuum of care, principles of geriatric pharmacology, Afrocentric perspectives in pharmacy education, and major risk or opportunity.

Dr Cannon-Babb's heart has always been with and for the students: "The students are the catalyst to greater knowledge and progression". Her words of wisdom repeatedly uttered to students include , “you are the forerunners of theories and concepts that are yet to be understood” and, “thank you for keeping me aware of the fact that learning is an ongoing endeavor.”