Rate My Professor Vennece Fowlkes

Professor Vennece Fowlkes serves as Lecturer of Anatomy and Physiology in the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology within the College of Science and Mathematics at Kennesaw State University. Holding a Ph.D. in Biomedical Science from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Winthrop University, Fowlkes has built a career centered on teaching and research in cell biology and physiology. She was recognized for teaching excellence by the College of Science and Mathematics in 2023 and 2024, selected based on student success rates, evidence of learning outcomes, curriculum alignment, and efforts to create inclusive classroom environments. These honors were celebrated at receptions highlighting her contributions to student learning and belonging.

Prior to her current role, Fowlkes held positions as Assistant Professor of Biology at Anne Arundel Community College and Instructor of Anatomy and Physiology and Biology at Hagerstown Community College. Her early career included participation in the Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine from 2006 to 2008, affiliated with the Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy. There, she contributed to research on cellular responses in cardiac tissue and extracellular matrix dynamics. Her peer-reviewed publications include first-author works such as "Type II diabetes promotes a myofibroblast phenotype in cardiac fibroblasts" (Life Sciences, 2013), investigating diabetes-induced changes in fibroblast behavior; "Mechanical loading promotes mast cell degranulation via RGD-integrin dependent pathways" (Journal of Biomechanics, 2012), examining biomechanical influences on mast cells; and co-authored papers like "Diabetes-induced alterations in the extracellular matrix and their impact on myocardial function" (Microscopy and Microanalysis, 2012), "Age-dependent expression of collagen receptors and deformation of type I collagen substrates by rat cardiac fibroblasts" (Microscopy and Microanalysis, 2011), "Essential role of PACT-mediated PKR activation in tunicamycin-induced apoptosis" (Journal of Molecular Biology, 2009), and "Interaction of human tRNA-dihydrouridine synthase-2 with interferon-induced protein kinase PKR" (Nucleic Acids Research, 2008). These studies address key areas in fibrosis, integrin signaling, and stress responses in biomedical contexts, demonstrating her expertise in organismal biology and physiology.