Dr. Chris Tinkey
Assistant Professor of Biology
Dr. Chris Tinkey joined Mercer University’s Department of Biology in 2025. He came after completing a Ph.D. at the University of Tennessee, where he studied connections between cellular signaling pathways in beneficial soil bacteria. As an undergraduate, he also conducted research on the relationship between host diet and gut microbiome diversity in different animal species.
Education
- Ph.D., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
- B.S., Biochemistry, Georgia Gwinnett College
Specialty
Biochemistry, molecular biology, microbiology, and bacterial chemotaxis.
Professional Interests
Dr. Tinkey’s research focuses on bacterial chemotaxis systems, which are best known for changing bacterial swimming direction in response to extracellular chemical cues. His research focuses on studying interactions between chemotaxis systems and other regulatory pathways in bacteria, which result in altered bacterial physiology. He uses beneficial soil bacteria as his model organism.
Other Interests
Outside of the office, Dr. Tinkey enjoys spending time with his wife and pets. He additionally enjoys DnD, home improvement projects, aerials, going to the gym, and occasionally brewing kombucha.
Contact Dr. Chris Tinkey
(478) 301-2717
tinkey_c@mercer.edu
Office: Godsey Science Center, Room 320