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Chris Varnon

Assistant Professor

University of North Texas

Department of Behavior Analysis

(940) 369-7961

Email: Christopher.Varnon@unt.edu

Education

  • PhD, Oklahoma State University, 2017
    Major: Psychology
    Specialization: Experimental Psychology
  • MS, Oklahoma State University, 2013
    Major: Psychology

Professional Positions

    Academic - Post-Secondary

  • Assistant Professor, University of North Texas. University of North Texas. (2023 - Present).
  • Assistant Professor, Converse University. Converse University. (2017 - 2023).

Teaching

Teaching Experience

    University of North Texas

  • BEHV 2700 - Behavior Principles II, 2 courses.
  • BEHV 5010 - Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 1 course.
  • BEHV 5140 - Research Methods in Behavior Analysis, 3 courses.
  • HLSC 6950 - Doctoral Dissertation, 4 courses.

Non-Credit Instruction

  • Uncompensated Instructional Overload, 4 participants. (January 2025).
  • Public Lecture, Department of Biology, (March 2024).
  • Uncompensated Instructional Overload, 8 participants. (August 2024 - December 2024).
  • Uncompensated Instructional Overload, 14 participants. (August 2023 - May 2024).
  • Public Lecture, Department of Behavior Analysis, 50 participants. (September 22, 2022).

Directed Student Learning

  • Master's Thesis Committee Chair, Behavior Analysis. (2025).
  • Master's Thesis Committee Member, Behavior Analysis. (2024).
  • Master's Thesis Committee Member, Behavior Analysis. (2024).
  • Master's Thesis Committee Member, Behavior Analysis. (2024).
  • Dissertation Committee Chair, Behavior Analysis. (November 2023).
  • Dissertation Committee Chair, Behavior Analysis. (August 2023).
  • Doctoral Comprehensive Exam Member or Grader, Behavior Analysis. (October 2023 - February 2024).
  • Undergraduate Honors Thesis Chair, "Exploring the Utility of Curvilinear Feedback Systems for Improving Muscle Strength via Surface Electromyography," Behavior Analysis. (October 2023 - December 2023).

Awards and Honors

  • Dukes Family Award for Faculty Scholarly and Creative Achievement, Converse University. (2022).
  • International Development Grant, Society for the Advancement of Behavior Analysis. (2012).
  • Marian Breland-Bailey Award, Applied Animal Behavior Special Interest Group of the Association for Behavior Analysis International. (2012).

Research

Published Intellectual Contributions

    Book

  • Varnon, C., Abramson, C.I. (2018). The propeller experiment controller: Automation for the comparative analysis of behavior in research and Teaching. Other. 39 (1-2) 9-153. https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85052969846

    • Book Chapter

  • Place, A.J., Varnon, C., David, C.P., Abramson, C.I. (2017). Exploratory investigations in operant thermoregulation in western diamond-backed rattlesnakes (Crotalus atrox). The Biology of Rattlesnakes II. ECO Herpetological Publishing and Distribution.

    • Journal Article

  • Varnon, C.A., Moore, M.K. (2024). Reconsidering the subject and object of comparative cognition. https://doi.org/10.3819/CCBR.2024.190019
  • Varnon, C., Barrera, E.I., Wilkes, I.N. (2022). Learning and memory in the orange head cockroach (Eublaberus posticus). PLOS One. 17 (8 August) https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85136166032
  • Varnon, C., Adams, A.T. (2021). Habituation of the light-startle response of orange head cockroaches (Eublaberus posticus): Effects of acclimation, stimulus duration, presence of food, and intertrial interval. Insects. 12 (4) https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85105010508
  • Varnon, C., Vallely, N., Beheler, C., Coffin, C. (2021). The disturbance leg-lift response (DLR): An undescribed behavior in bumble bees. PeerJ. 9 https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85103487928
  • Varnon, C., Dinges, C.W., Vest, A.J., Abramson, C.I. (2020). Conspecific and interspecific stimuli reduce initial performance in an aversive learning task in honey bees (Apis mellifera). PLOS One. 15 (2) https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85080093518
  • Bergren, S., Latino, C.D., Varnon, C., Abramson, C.I. (2019). A Portable System for Detecting Infrasound Using a Microcontroller. International Journal of Comparative Psychology. 32 1-15. https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85099581993
  • Varnon, C., Dinges, C.W., Black, T.E., Wells, H., Abramson, C.I. (2018). Failure to Find Ethanol-Induced Conditioned Taste Aversion in Honey Bees (Apis mellifera L.). Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research. 42 (7) 1260-1270. https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85047489880
  • Varnon, C., Lang, H., Abramson, C.I. (2018). Automated research in comparative psychology: Limitations and new directions. International Journal of Comparative Psychology. 31 https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85052956748
  • Dinges, C.W., Varnon, C., Cota, L.D., Slykerman, S., Abramson, C.I. (2017). Studies of learned helplessness in honey bees (Apis mellifera ligustica). Other. 43 (2) 147-158. https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85012157900
  • Craig, D.P., Varnon, C., Pollock, K.L., Abramson, C.I. (2015). An assessment of horse (Equus ferus caballus) responding on fixed interval schedules of reinforcement: An individual analysis. Other. 120 1-13. https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/84940024943
  • Abramson, C.I., Craig, D.P., Varnon, C., Wells, H. (2015). The effect of ethanol on reversal learning in honey bees (Apis mellifera anatolica): Response inhibition in a social insect model. Alcohol. 49 (3) 245-258. https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/84929295380
  • Craig, D.P., Varnon, C., Sokolowski, M.B., Wells, H., Abramson, C.I. (2014). An assessment of fixed interval timing in free-flying honey bees (Apis mellifera ligustica): An analysis of individual performance. PLOS One. 9 (7) https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/84903748414
  • Dinges, C.W., Avalos, A., Abramson, C.I., Craig, D.P., Austin, Z.M., Varnon, C., Dal, F.N., Giray, T., Wells, H. (2013). Aversive conditioning in honey bees (Apis mellifera anatolica): A comparison of drones and workers. Journal of Experimental Biology. 216 (21) 4124-4134. https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/84886506971
  • Varnon, C.A., Abramson, C.I. (2013). The propeller experiment controller: Low-cost automation for classroom experiments in learning and behavior.. Comprehensive Psychology. 2 1-18.
  • Craig, D.P., Grice, J.W., Varnon, C., Gibson, B., Sokolowski, M.B., Abramson, C.I. (2012). Social Reinforcement Delays in Free-Flying Honey Bees (Apis mellifera L.). PLOS One. 7 (10) https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/84867132758
  • Varnon, C., Martin, A.L., Abramson, C.I. (2012). Conditioning methods for farm animals: A mini review. 2 1-20.
  • Abramson, C.I., Lay, A., Bowser, T.J., Varnon, C. (2012). The use of silver vine (Actinidia polygama maxim, family actinidiaceae) as an enrichment aide for felines: Issues and prospects. Other. 7 (1) 21-27. https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/84858140716

Presentations Given

    Invited Talk

  • Varnon, C. (Author), 39th Annual Conference of the Texas Association for Behavior Analysis, How to train your cockroach: A case study in developing an alternative model of learning, Texas Association for Behavior Analysis, Houston, TX, United States of America. (2024).

    • Oral Presentation

  • Varnon, C. (Author), 50th Annual Convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Spatial behavior and conditioning in orange head cockroaches, Association for Behavior Analysis International, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America. (2024).
  • Varnon, C. (Author), BioFrontier Seminar Series, Invertebrates as model organisms of behavioral biology, Department of Biology, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, United States of America. (2024).
  • Varnon, C. (Author), Behavior Analysis Research Colloquium, Boneless beasts behaving brilliantly: Exploring invertebrate behavior analysis, Department of Behavior Analysis, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, United States of America. (2023).

    • Poster

  • Lonon, J. (Author), Varnon, C. (Author), South Carolina IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence 2024 Science Symposium, Development and simulation of a mathematical model of habituation learning, SCINBRE, Columbia, SC, United States of America. (2024).

Contracts, Grants, Sponsored Research

    Grant - Research

  • Erturk, N. (Principal), Varnon, C. (Supporting), "BIORETS at Converse University: Science, Technology, and Research (STAR) Teachers of South Carolina," sponsored by NSF DBI, Federal, $592819 Funded. (2023 - 2024).
  • Varnon, C. (Principal), "Cockroach Model of Alcoholism," sponsored by South Carolina INBRE NIH, State, $77550 Funded. (2020 - 2020).
  • Varnon, C. (Principal), "Cockroach Model of Alcoholism," sponsored by South Carolina INBRE NIH, State, $44635 Funded. (2019 - 2020).
  • Varnon, C. (Principal), "Invertebrate Models of Substance Abuse," sponsored by South Carolina INBRE NIH, State, $50000 Funded. (2017 - 2019).

Service

University Service

  • Committee Member, Department of Behavior Analysis MS Program Curriculum Committee. (January 2025 - Present).
  • Committee Member, College of Health and Public Service Research Committee. (August 2024 - Present).
  • Other, Department of Behavior Analysis Website Manager. (August 2024 - Present).
  • Committee Member, Thesis Proposal Committee. (January 2024 - Present).
  • Committee Member, Tenure Track Assistant/Associate Professor Search Committee. (September 2023 - February 2024).
  • Committee Member, Special Committee to Review Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee Policy. (2022 - 2023).
  • Committee Member, Diversity Advisory Committee Faculty Representitive. (2021 - 2023).
  • Committee Member, Special Lectures Committee. (2021 - 2023).
  • Committee Member, Title IX Task Force. (2021 - 2023).
  • Student Org Advisor (Non-Professional Org), Manga, Anime, and Sci-Fi Club Faculty Advisor. (2020 - 2023).
  • Committee Member, Awards Committee. (2018 - 2023).
  • Committee Member, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. (2018 - 2023).
  • Committee Member, Undergraduate Research Committee. (2018 - 2023).
  • Committee Member, Genetics Assistant Professor Search Committee. (2021 - 2022).
  • Committee Member, Physiology Assistant Professor Search Committee. (2021 - 2022).

Professional Service

  • Reviewer, Journal Article, The Canadian Entomologist. (February 2025 - Present).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, International Journal of Comparative Psychology. (January 2025 - Present).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, Animal Cognition. (November 2024 - Present).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, Behavior Analysis and Practice. (November 2024 - Present).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, International Journal of Comparative Psychology. (July 2024 - Present).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, Insects. (May 2023 - Present).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, Insects. (May 2023 - Present).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, International Journal of Comparative Psychology. (May 2023 - Present).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, Insects. (February 2022 - Present).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, Insects. (2021 - Present).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, Insects. (2021 - Present).
  • Editorial Review Board Member, International Journal of Comparative Psychology. (2021 - Present).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, Insects. (August 2020 - Present).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, Insects. (2020 - Present).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior. (April 2019 - Present).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, International Journal of Comparative Psychology. (2019 - Present).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, Journal of Comparative Physiology B. (2024 - 2024).
  • Member, Dorman High School STEM Advisory Board. Roebuck, SC. (2020 - 2023).
  • Editorial Review Board Member, Insects. (2020 - 2023).
  • Editorial Review Board Member, Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior. (2019 - 2023).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, Animals. (2022).
  • Reviewer, Grant Proposal, South Carolina INBRE. (May 2022).
  • Reviewer, Grant Proposal, National Science Center Poland. (April 2022).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, Alcoholism Clinical & Experimental Research. (2021).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, Biology Letters. (2021).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, Agronomy. (2020).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, Current Psychology. (2019).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, Current Psychology. (2018).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, Journal of Social Sciences. (2015).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, Innovative Teaching. (2013).