Dennis M. Venema, PhD

Professor of Biology; Sabbatical 2026/27

Dennis Venema is a Fellow of the American Scientific Affiliation and was Fellow of Biology for the BioLogos Foundation from 2011 to 2018. He was a Scholarship and Christianity in Oxford (SCIO) Visiting Scholar in Science and Religion in 2015-2016. He is co-author, with Scot McKnight, of Adam and the Genome (2017).

Dr. Venema will be on Sabbatical 2026/27

  • PhD (University of British Columbia; 2003)
  • BSc, Hons (University of British Columbia; 1996)
     

Expertise

  • Developmental biology
  • Cell and molecular biology
  • Genetics, science education
  • Creationism
  • Intelligent design and evolution

Research in my lab is focused on the genetics of pattern formation and signaling, using the common fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism. The superior genetic and molecular biology tools available in Drosophila make this organism second to none for developmental biology studies. Current projects include investigating the role of cell-cell junction components in tissue patterning and examining the insulin signaling pathway in flies.

I also conduct education research in the areas of genetics and cell biology. I am particularly interested in developing and evaluating active-learning methods to improve learning outcomes in these areas.

Recent Publications

  • Peterson, M. L. and Venema, D. R. Biology, Religion, and Philosophy: An Introduction. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (forthcoming, 2020) 
  • Venema, D. R. and McKnight, S. Adam and the Genome: Reading Scripture After Genetic Science. Grand Rapids: Brazos Press. (2017). 
  • Venema, D. R. Intelligent design, abiogenesis, and learning from history: a reply to Meyer. Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith 63 (3), 183-192 (2011).
  • Venema, D. R. Seeking a signature: essay book review of Signature in the Cell: DNA and the Evidence for Intelligent Design by Stephen C. Meyer. Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith 62 (4), 276-283 (2010).
  • Venema, D. R. Genesis and the genome: genomics evidence for human – ape common ancestry and ancestral hominid population sizes. Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith 62 (3), 166-178 (2010).
  • Venema, D. R. An evangelical geneticist's critique of Reason to Believe's Testable Creation Model. BioLogos Foundation (2010).
  • Venema, D. R. Laboratory exercises to examine recombination and aneuploidy in Drosophila. American Biology Teacher 71 (6), 325-332 (2009).
  • Venema, D. R. and Paulton, R. A Christian Perspective on Biology. In Christian Worldview and the Academic Disciplines: Crossing the Academy, Downey, E. D. and Porter, S. E., Eds. McMaster Divinity College Press General Series, Wipf and Stock, Eugene, Oregon (2009).
  • Venema, D. R. Enhancing undergraduate teaching and research with a Drosophila virginizing system. CBE-Life Sciences Education 5, 353-360 (2006).
  • Venema, D. R., Ben-Mordehai, T., and Auld, V. J. Transient apical polarization of Gliotactin and Coracle is required for parallel alignment of wing hairs in Drosophila. Developmental Biology 275, 301-314 (2004). 

  • BIOL 226 Introduction to Evolutionary Theory
  • BIOL 326 Evolutionary Theory
  • BIOL 336 Immunology
  • BIOL 371 Introduction to Genetics
  • BIOL 409/410 Senior Thesis supervision
  • BIOL 423 Advanced Cell and Molecular Biology
  • BIOL 440 Developmental Neurobiology