My research attention is focused on the control of ventilation and how genetic predisposition may facilitate individual susceptibility to air-borne toxins. These interests emphasize the identification of specific major and modifying genes that determine normal breathing pattern and the control of ventilation during hypercapnic and hypoxic exposures. The strength and success of this research endeavor is found in the unique, multidisciplinary approach utilizing inbred murine strains to model physiological systems affected by heredity in human populations. For example, these experiences have led us to better understand the changes in respiratory function associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). My training is consistent with an integrated systems physiological approach, and my educational scope is comprised of topics concerning aging and environmental stress as these pertain to cardiovascular, reproductive and thermoregulatory mechanisms in humans. My career goals also include a strong commitment to teaching and directly interacting with graduate, undergraduate honors, and minority underrepresented students. In addition, I am dedicated to collaborating with research associates and other community professionals.

Environmental Health Sciences, Environmental Stress Physiology, Mouse Genetics, Pulmonary Physiology, Linkage Analysis, Control of Ventilation, Genetic Susceptibility, Air Pollutant Toxicology, Respiratory Effects of ALS, and Genetic Obesity

1991-1992 Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society

1993-1994 National Research Service Award

1996-2000 First Independent Research Support and Transition Award

1997-2000 Co-Chairperson: American Thoracic Society Workshop Committee on Inheritance and Ventilatory Control

2000-2001 Chairperson: American Physiological Society Symposium: Physiological Genomics of the Respiratory System

2000 Keynote Speaker: American Thoracic Society Symposium: Obesity and Sleep Apnea

2001 Co-Chairperson: American Thoracic Society Symposium: Genetic, Central and Peripheral Influences of Breathing

2001 Co-Chairperson: American Thoracic Society Symposium: Genetic Dissection of Ventilatory Traits

2002 Co-Chairperson: American Thoracic Society Symposium: Neural Development and Genetic Influence of Apnea Genesis

2002-2004 Chairperson: American Thoracic Society Respiratory, Neurobiology and Sleep Planning Committee

Tankersley, C.G., R. Rabold, and W.A. Mitzner. Differential lung mechanics are genetically determined in inbred murine strains. Journal of Applied Physiology. 86(6): 1764-1769, 1999.

O'Donnell, C.P., C.G. Tankersley, V.P. Polotsky, A.R. Schwartz, and P.L. Smith. Leptin, obesity and respiratory function. Respiration Physiology. 119: 163-170, 2000.

Tankersley, C.G., R.C. Elston and A.H. Schnell. Genetic determinants of acute hypoxic ventilation: Patterns of inheritance in mice. Journal of Applied Physiology. 88: 2310-2318, 2000.

Tankersley, C.G. Variation in acute hypoxic ventilatory response is linked to mouse chromosome 9. Journal of Applied Physiology. (Selected Contribution). 90(4): 1615-1622, 2001.

Soutiere, S.E. and C.G. Tankersley. Challenges implicit to gene discovery research in the control of ventilation during hypoxia. High Altitude Medicine and Biology. Summer. 2(2):191-200. 2001.

Frank, R. and C. Tankersley. Airborne particles and daily mortality: a hypothesis concerning the role of impaired homeostasis. Environmental Health Perspectives. 110(1): 61-65, 2002.

Tankersley, C.G., R. Irizarry, S. Flanders, and R. Rabold. Circadian rhythm variation in activity, body temperature, and heart rate between C3H/HeJ and C57BL/6J inbred strains. Journal of Applied Physiology. (Selected Contribution). 92(2): 870-877, 2002.

Tankersley, C.G., M.A. Haxhui, and E.B. Gauda. Differential CO2-induced c-fos gene expression in the nucleus tractus solitari of inbred mouse strains. Journal of Applied Physiology. 92(3): 1277-1284, 2002. Tankersley, C.G., R.A. Irizarry, S.E. Flanders, R. Rabold and R. Frank. Unstable heart rate and temperature regulation predict imminent death in AKR/J mice. American Journal of Physiology. (Regulatory, Integrative, and Comparative Physiology). 284(3): R742-R750, 2003.

Yamaguchi, S., A. Balbir, B. Schofield, J. Coram, C.G. Tankersley, R.S. Fitzgerald, C.P. O'Donnell and M. Shirahata. Structural and functional differences of the carotid body between DBA/2J and A/J strains of mice. Journal of Applied Physiology. (Selected Contribution). 94(4): 1536-1542, 2003.

Schneider H., S. P. Patil, A.R. Schwartz, C.P. O’Donnell, P.L. Smith, C.G. Tankersley. Hypercapnic duty cycle is an intermediate physiologic phenotype linked to mouse chromosome 5. Journal of Applied Physiology. 95(1): 11-19, 2003.

Tankersley, C.G., J.A. Shank, S.E. Flanders, S.E. Soutierre, R. Rabold, W. Mitzner, and E.M. Wagner. Changes in lung permeability and lung mechanics accompany homeostatic instability in senescent mice. Journal of Applied Physiology. 95(4): 1681-1687, 2003.

Tankersley, C.G. Genetic aspects of breathing: on interactions between hypercapnia and hypoxia. Respiration Physiology and Neurobiology. 135(2-3): 167-178, 2003.

Groeben, H., S. Meier, C.G. Tankersley, W. Mitzner, and R.H. Brown. Heritable differences in respiratory drive and breathing pattern in mice during anesthesia and emergence. British Journal of Anesthesia. 91(4): 541-545. 2003.

Rubin, A.E., V.Y. Polotsky, A. Balbir, J.A. Krishman, A.R. Schwartz, P.L. Smith, R.S. Fitzgerald, C.G. Tankersley, M. Shirahata, and C.P. O’Donnell. Differences in sleep-induced hypoxia between A/J and DBA/2J mouse strains. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 168(12): 1520-1527, 2003.

Tankersley, C.G., M. Campen, A. Bierman, S.E. Flanders, and R. Rabold. Particle effects on heart rate regulation in senescent mice. Inhalation Toxicology. 16: 381-390, 2004.

Polotsky, V.Y., M.C. Smaldone, M.T. Scharf, J. Li, C.G. Tankersley, P.L. Smith, A.R. Schwartz, and C.P. O'Donnell. The impact of interrupted leptin pathways on ventilatory control. Journal of Applied Physiology. 96(3): 991-998, 2004.

Tankersley, C.G. and K. Broman. Variation in hypercapnic ventilatory responses is linked to mouse chromosomes 1 and 5. Journal of Applied Physiology. 97(1):77-84, 2004.

Soutiere, S.E., C.G. Tankersley, and W.A. Mitzner. Structural basis for pressure-volume curve differences in inbred mice. Journal of Applied Physiology. Respiration Physiology and Neurobiology. 140(3): 283.-291, 2004.