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Chris Varnon

Assistant Professor

University of North Texas

Department of Behavior Analysis

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).

Professional Memberships

  • Texas Association for Behavior Analysis. (2024 - Present).
  • Association for Behavior Analysis International. (2011 - Present).
  • Southeastern Association for Behavior Analysis. (2022 - 2023).
  • Southeastern Psychological Association. (2019 - 2023).
  • Comparative Cognition Society. (2019 - 2021).

Development Activities

  • Workshop, Modern Campus CMS Live Training, University of North Texas. United States of America. (March 2026).
  • Workshop, PAHS Web Team Training, University of North Texas. United States of America. (September 2024).
  • Workshop, NSF CAREERS Workshop, University of North Texas. United States of America. (March 2024).
  • Workshop, HSI/MSI Broader Impacts Workshop, University of North Texas. United States of America. (February 2024).
  • Workshop, Research BREAKS: Program Officer Proximity and Establishing Meaningful Connections, University of North Texas. United States of America. (January 2024).
  • Workshop, PAHS PI Summer Training, University of North Texas. United States of America. (June 2023 - August 2023).

Teaching

Teaching Experience

    University of North Texas

  • BEHV 2700 - Behavior Principles II, 4 courses.
  • BEHV 5010 - Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 2 courses.
  • BEHV 5140 - Research Methods in Behavior Analysis, 4 courses.
  • BEHV 5950 - Master's Thesis, 2 courses.
  • BEHV 6810 - Developing Behavior Analytic Expertise I, 1 course.
  • HLSC 6950 - Doctoral Dissertation, 8 courses.

Teaching at Other Institutions

  • Converse University, Human Growth and Development, Spring 2023.
  • Converse University, Psychology of Learning, Spring 2023.
  • Converse University, Neuroscience, Winter 2023.
  • Converse University, Human Growth and Development, Fall 2022.
  • Converse University, Psychology of Learning, Fall 2022.
  • Converse University, Statistics and Research Design II, Fall 2022.
  • Converse University, Psychology of Learning, Spring 2022.
  • Converse University, Psychology of Learning, Fall 2021.
  • Converse University, Statistics and Research Design II, Fall 2021.
  • Converse University, Psychology of Learning, Online Hybrid, Spring 2021.
  • Converse University, Statistics and Research Design II, Online Hybrid, Spring 2021.
  • Converse University, General Psychology, Online Asynchronous, Fall 2020.
  • Converse University, Psychology of Learning, Online Hybrid, Fall 2020.
  • Converse University, Statistics and Research Design II, Online Hybrid, Fall 2020.
  • Converse University, Psychology of Learning, Online Hybrid, Spring 2020.
  • Converse University, Statistics and Research Design II, Online Hybrid, Spring 2020.
  • Converse University, General Psychology, Fall 2019.
  • Converse University, Psychology of Learning, Fall 2019.
  • Converse University, Statistics and Research Design II, Fall 2019.
  • Converse University, Psychology of Learning, Spring 2019.
  • Converse University, Statistics and Research Design II, Spring 2019.
  • Converse University, Sensation and Perception, Winter 2019.
  • Converse University, General Psychology, Fall 2018.
  • Converse University, Psychology of Learning, Fall 2018.
  • Converse University, Statistics and Research Design II, Fall 2018.
  • Converse University, Psychology of Learning, Spring 2018.
  • Converse University, Statistics and Research Design II, Spring 2018.
  • Converse University, Sensation and Perception, Winter 2018.
  • Converse University, General Psychology, Fall 2017.
  • Converse University, Psychology of Learning, Fall 2017.
  • Converse University, Statistics and Research Design II, Fall 2017.
  • Oklahoma State University, Neurobiological Psychology, Spring 2017.
  • Oklahoma State University, Neurobiological Psychology, Fall 2016.
  • Oklahoma State University, Neurobiological Psychology, Spring 2016.
  • Oklahoma State University, Introductory Psychology, Fall 2015.
  • Oklahoma State University, Introductory Psychology, Fall 2015.
  • Oklahoma State University, Neurobiological Psychology, Fall 2015.
  • Oklahoma State University, Quantitative Methods Lecture, Summer 2015.
  • Oklahoma State University, Comparative Psychology, Spring 2015.
  • Oklahoma State University, Introductory Psychology, Flipped Classroom, Spring 2015.
  • Oklahoma State University, Introductory Psychology, Flipped Classroom, Fall 2014.
  • Oklahoma State University, Introductory Psychology, Flipped Classroom, Fall 2014.
  • Oklahoma State University, Introductory Psychology, Spring 2014.
  • Oklahoma State University, Introductory Psychology, Spring 2014.
  • Oklahoma State University, Introductory Psychology, Fall 2013.
  • Oklahoma State University, Introductory Psychology, Fall 2013.
  • Oklahoma State University, Quantitative Methods Laboratory, Fall 2013.
  • Oklahoma State University, Introductory Psychology, Spring 2013.
  • Oklahoma State University, Introductory Psychology, Fall 2012.
  • Oklahoma State University, Introductory Psychology, Fall 2012.

Non-Credit Instruction

  • Uncompensated Instructional Overload, 6 participants. (August 2025 - May 2026).
  • Uncompensated Instructional Overload, 8 participants. (August 2024 - May 2025).
  • Uncompensated Instructional Overload, 14 participants. (August 2023 - May 2024).
  • Seminar, University of North Texas, Department of Biology, BioFrontier Seminar Series, (March 2024 - March 2024).
  • Seminar, University of North Texas, Department of Behavior Analysis, Behavior Analysis Research Colloquium, (September 2023 - September 2023).
  • Seminar, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, School of Animal Sciences, (December 2022 - December 2022).
  • Seminar, Winthrop University, Department of Biology, (March 2021 - March 2021).
  • Guest Lecture, The Chicago School, (February 2020 - February 2020).
  • Seminar, Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia da Paraíba Campus Cajazeiras, (August 2013 - August 2013).
  • Seminar, Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia da Paraíba Campus João Pessoa, (August 2013 - August 2013).
  • Seminar, Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia da Paraíba Campus Sousa, (August 2013 - August 2013).
  • Seminar, University of North Texas, Department of Behavior Analysis, (March 2013 - March 2013).

Directed Student Learning

  • Master's Thesis Committee Chair, Behavior Analysis. (2026).
  • Dissertation Committee Chair, Behavior Analysis. (2025).
  • Dissertation Committee Member, Other - Outside UNT. (2025).
  • Master's Thesis Committee Chair, Behavior Analysis. (2025).
  • Master's Thesis Committee Member, Behavior Analysis. (2025).
  • Dissertation Committee Chair, Behavior Analysis. (August 2024).
  • Dissertation Defense Committee Member, Other - Outside UNT. (2024).
  • Dissertation Committee Chair, Behavior Analysis. (November 2023).
  • Master's Thesis Committee Member, Behavior Analysis. (2026).
  • Master's Thesis Committee Member, Behavior Analysis. (2026).
  • Master's Thesis Committee Chair, Behavior Analysis. (2025 - 2026).
  • Master's Thesis Committee Member, "On Response Topography in Reinforcement Contingencies: A Neuro-Operant Investigation of the Consummatory Response," Behavior Analysis. (2025 - 2025).
  • Master's Thesis Committee Member, "Exploring the Effects of Lag Schedules on the Degree of Discounting a Delayed Reinforcer," Behavior Analysis. (2025 - 2025).
  • Supervised Research, Other - Outside UNT. (2025 - 2025).
  • Supervised Research, Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science. (2025 - 2025).
  • Master's Thesis Committee Member, "A Force Free Procedure to Expand Food and Medicine Ingestion in Equines," Behavior Analysis. (2024 - 2024).
  • Master's Thesis Committee Member, "Effects of Stimulus Control on Responding during a Resurgence Test," Behavior Analysis. (2024 - 2024).
  • Master's Thesis Committee Member, "Choice is Not Enough: Analyzing Conditions for Obtaining Assent," Behavior Analysis. (2024 - 2024).
  • Other (NSF RET K-12 Mentorship), "Computational Models and Simulations of Habituation Learning," Other - Outside UNT. (2023 - 2024).
  • Other (NSF RET K-12 Mentorship), "Computational Models and Simulations of Habituation Learning," Other - Outside UNT. (2023 - 2024).
  • Other (NSF RET K-12 Mentorship), "Computational Models and Simulations of Habituation Learning," Other - Outside UNT. (2023 - 2024).
  • Supervised Research, Behavior Analysis. (2023 - 2024).
  • Undergraduate Honors Thesis, "Exploring the Utility of Curvilinear Feedback Systems for Improving Muscle Strength via Surface Electromyography," Behavior Analysis. (October 2023 - December 2023).
  • Undergraduate Honors Thesis, Other - Outside UNT. (2023 - 2023).
  • Supervised Research, "Cockroach Model of Alcoholism," Other - Outside UNT. (2022 - 2022).
  • Supervised Research, "Cockroach Model of Alcoholism," Other - Outside UNT. (2022 - 2022).
  • Supervised Research, "Cockroach Model of Alcoholism," Other - Outside UNT. (2022 - 2022).
  • Supervised Research, "DNA and RNA Isolation in Cockroach Tissue," Other - Outside UNT. (2022 - 2022).
  • Supervised Research, "DNA and RNA Isolation in Cockroach Tissue," Other - Outside UNT. (2022 - 2022).
  • Supervised Research, "Cockroach Model of Alcoholism," Other - Outside UNT. (2021 - 2022).
  • Supervised Research, "Cockroach Model of Alcoholism," Other - Outside UNT. (2021 - 2022).
  • Supervised Research, "Cockroach Model of Alcoholism," Other - Outside UNT. (2020 - 2022).
  • Supervised Research, "Cockroach Model of Alcoholism," Other - Outside UNT. (2021 - 2021).
  • Supervised Research, "Cockroach Model of Alcoholism," Other - Outside UNT. (2020 - 2021).
  • Supervised Research, "Effects of Chronic, Sublethal Levels of Glyphosate and 2,4-D Exposure on Oxidative Stress in Eisenia fetida," Other - Outside UNT. (2020 - 2021).
  • Dissertation Committee Member, Other - Outside UNT. (2020 - 2020).
  • Supervised Research, "Learning in Hissing Cockroaches," Other - Outside UNT. (2020 - 2020).
  • Supervised Research, "Invertebrate Models of Substance Use," Other - Outside UNT. (2019 - 2020).
  • Supervised Research, "Ex Ovo Cultivation of Chick Embryos for Investigation of Angiogenesis," Other - Outside UNT. (2019 - 2020).
  • Supervised Research, "Concept Learning in Red-eared Sliders (Trachemys scripta)," Other - Outside UNT. (2019 - 2020).
  • Supervised Research, "Concept Learning in Red-eared Sliders (Trachemys scripta)," Other - Outside UNT. (2018 - 2020).
  • Supervised Research, "Invertebrate Models of Substance Use," Other - Outside UNT. (2018 - 2020).
  • Supervised Research, "Invertebrate Models of Substance Use," Other - Outside UNT. (2018 - 2019).
  • Supervised Research, "Invertebrate Models of Substance Use," Other - Outside UNT. (2018 - 2019).
  • Undergraduate Honors Thesis, "Ex Ovo Cultivation of Chick Embryos for Investigation of Angiogenesis," Other - Outside UNT. (2017 - 2018).
  • Supervised Research, "The Effect of Introductory Textbook Cover Images on Student Perception of Academic Rigor in Natural and Social Science Courses," Other - Outside UNT. (2016 - 2016).
  • Supervised Research, "Comparison of Individual and Communal Housing Techniques on the Longevity of Captive Honey Bees," Other - Outside UNT. (2016 - 2016).
  • Supervised Research, "Aversive Conditioning in Honey Bees," Other - Outside UNT. (2015 - 2016).
  • Supervised Research, "Learning in Hissing Cockroaches," Other - Outside UNT. (2015 - 2016).
  • Supervised Research, "Learning in Bioluminescent Algae," Other - Outside UNT. (2012 - 2013).
  • Supervised Research, "Aversive Conditioning in Honey Bees," Other - Outside UNT. (2011 - 2013).
  • Supervised Research, "Techniques to Study Learning in Planarians," Other - Outside UNT. (2012 - 2012).
  • Supervised Research, "Sexual Conditioning in Human-reared Pigeons," Other - Outside UNT. (2012 - 2012).

Awards and Honors

  • Dukes Family Award for Faculty Scholarly and Creative Achievement, Converse University.
  • International Development Grant, Society for the Advancement of Behavior Analysis.
  • Marian Breland-Bailey Award, Applied Animal Behavior Special Interest Group of the Association for Behavior Analysis International.
  • Sigma Xi Grants in Aid of Research, Sigma Xi.

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) 1-153. https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85052969846

    • Book Chapter

  • Place, A.J., Varnon, C., Craig, D., 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. (2025). Habituation but not classical conditioning of the disturbance hiss of the hissing cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa). PeerJ.
  • Varnon, C.A., Moore, M.K. (2024). Reconsidering the subject and object of comparative cognition. Other. 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 1-10.
  • Abramson, C.I., Lay, A., Bowser, T.J., Varnon, C. (2012). The use of silver vine (Actinidia polygama Maxim, family Actinidiaceae) as an enrichment aid 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 & Presenter), 42nd Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Association for Behavior Analysis, Alternative organisms, familiar questions: Invertebrate research in behavior analysis, Chattanooga, TN, United States of America. (2026).
  • Varnon, C. (Author & Presenter), 51st Annual Convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, The behavior of (other) organisms: Considerations for nontraditional animal research, Association for Behavior Analysis International, Washington, DC, United States of America. (2025).
  • Varnon, C. (Author & Presenter), 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

  • Trenary, E. (Author & Presenter), Varnon, C. (Author), 52nd Annual Convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, How resurgence is related to the behavior change procedure, Association for Behavior Analysis International, San Francisco, CA, United States of America. (2026).
  • Varnon, C. (Author & Presenter), 12th International Conference of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Invertebrates as model organisms for behavior analysis, Association for Behavior Analysis International, Lisbon, Portugal. (2025).
  • Varnon, C. (Author & Presenter), Silguero, R.V. (Author), 51st Annual Convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, A real-time machine reinforcement learning model of classical conditioning, Association for Behavior Analysis International, Washington, DC, United States of America. (2025).
  • Silguero, R.V. (Author & Presenter), Varnon, C. (Author), 51st Annual Convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Machine-based reinforcement learning can help us understand the matching law, Association for Behavior Analysis International, Washington, DC, United States of America. (2025).
  • Varnon, C. (Author & Presenter), 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 & Presenter), 48th Annual Convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Cockroaches as model organisms for behavior analysis, Association for Behavior Analysis International, Boston, MA, United States of America. (2022).
  • Varnon, C.A. (Author & Presenter), Barrera, E. (Author), Wilkes, I. (Author), 28th Annual International Conference on Comparative Cognition, Appetitive conditioning in the orange head cockroach (Eublaberus posticus), Online, United States of America. (2021).
  • Varnon, C. (Author & Presenter), South Carolina IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence 2021 Science Symposium, Developing a new invertebrate model of alcoholism, SCINBRE, Online, United States of America. (2021).
  • Varnon, C.A. (Author & Presenter), 46th Annual Convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Bumble bees as model organisms for behavior analysis and comparative psychology, Association for Behavior Analysis International, Online, United States of America. (2020).
  • Varnon, C.A. (Author & Presenter), Abramson, C.I. (Author), Craig, D. (Author), Black, T.E. (Author), Dinges, C. (Author), Wells, H. (Author), 44th Annual Convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Honey bees as a behavioral and biological model of ethanol consumption: Research on proboscis extension conditioning, Association for Behavior Analysis International, San Diego, CA, United States of America. (2018).
  • Varnon, C.A. (Author & Presenter), Dinges, C. (Author), Abramson, C.I. (Author), 42nd Annual Convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Social discriminative stimuli in aversive conditioning in honey bees, Association for Behavior Analysis International, Chicago, IL, United States of America. (2016).
  • Dinges, C. (Author & Presenter), Varnon, C. (Author), Craig, D. (Author), Abramson, C. (Author), Avalos, A. (Author), Giray, T. (Author), 41st Annual Convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Aversive conditioning in honey bees: Influence of master/yoked role reversal in place preference conditioning, San Antonio, TX, United States of America. (2015).
  • Varnon, C. (Author & Presenter), Craig, D. (Author), Place, A. (Author), Abramson, C. (Author), 41st Annual Convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Operant conditioning in snakes: Temperature change as a reinforcer, San Antonio, TX, United States of America. (2015).
  • Dinges, C. (Author & Presenter), Abramson, C. (Author), Craig, D. (Author), Austin, Z. (Author), Varnon, C. (Author), Nur Dal, F. (Author), Giray, T. (Author), Wells, H. (Author), 40th Annual Convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Aversive conditioning in honey bees (Apis mellifera anatoliaca): A comparison of drones and workers, Chicago, IL, United States of America. (2014).
  • Varnon, C. (Author & Presenter), Abramson, C. (Author), 40th Annual Convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Issues in the study of invertebrate learning, Chicago, IL, United States of America. (2014).
  • Varnon, C. (Author & Presenter), Abramson, C. (Author), 40th Annual Convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Stimulating research in comparative psychology with the affordable propeller experiment controller, Chicago, IL, United States of America. (2014).
  • Craig, D. (Author & Presenter), Grice, J. (Author), Varnon, C. (Author), Sokolowski, M. (Author), Abramson, C. (Author), 40th Annual Convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, The impact of reinforcement delays on honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) operant responding, Chicago, IL, United States of America. (2014).
  • Varnon, C. (Author & Presenter), Abramson, C. (Author), 39th Annual Convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Affordable automation: The parallax propeller microcontroller as a device for research, teaching, and application of behavior analysis, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America. (2013).
  • Varnon, C. (Author & Presenter), Rosales-Ruiz, J. (Author), Abramson, C.I. (Author), Long, S. (Author), 38th Annual Convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Operant analysis of imprinting in human-reared pigeons, Seattle, WA, United States of America. (2012).
  • Chicas-Mosier, A. (Author & Presenter), Varnon, C. (Author), Abramson, C. (Author), Oklahoma Psychological Society Spring Research Conference 2012, A new training technique to study learning in planarians, Edmond, OK, United States of America. (2012).
  • Dinges, C. (Author & Presenter), Varnon, C. (Author), Abramson, C. (Author), Oklahoma Psychological Society Spring Research Conference 2012, Cued avoidance in honey bees (Apis mellifera): An active avoidance assay proposal, Edmond, OK, United States of America. (2012).
  • Varnon, C. (Author & Presenter), Craig, D. (Author), Place, A. (Author), Abramson, C. (Author), Oklahoma Psychological Society Spring Research Conference 2012, Issues in operant learning in rattlesnakes, Edmond, OK, United States of America. (2012).
  • Varnon, C. (Author & Presenter), Abramson, C. (Author), Oklahoma Psychological Society Spring Research Conference 2012, Sexual conditioning in human-imprinted pigeons, Edmond, OK, United States of America. (2012).

    • Poster

  • Tait, K. (Author & Presenter), Varnon, C. (Author), 52nd Annual Convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, A qualitative analysis of student feedback on an invertebrate classroom activity, Association for Behavior Analysis International, San Francisco, CA, United States of America. (2026).
  • Lonon, J. (Author & Presenter), 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).
  • Lonon, J. (Author & Presenter), Etha, H. (Author & Presenter), Begum, H. (Author & Presenter), Varnon, C. (Author), 2023 NSF RET Virtual Poster Session, Development and simulation of a mathematical model of habituation learning, NSF, Online, United States of America. (2023).
  • Knickerbocker, E. (Author & Presenter), Sajid, A. (Author & Presenter), Cox, A. (Author & Presenter), Varnon, C. (Author), South Carolina IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence 2023 Science Symposium, Exploratory investigations of spatial learning and behavior in orange head cockroaches (Eublaberus posticus), SCINBRE, Columbia, SC, United States of America. (2023).
  • Brown, K. (Author & Presenter), Erturk, N. (Author), Bohler, M. (Author), Varnon, C. (Author), South Carolina IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence 2023 Science Symposium, Optimization of nucleic acid isolation in Eublaberus posticus, SCINBRE, Columbia, SC, United States of America. (2023).
  • Knickerbocker, E. (Author), Sajid, A. (Author), Cox, A. (Author), Varnon, C. (Author), 38th Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Association for Behavior Analysis, Exploratory investigations of spatial learning and behavior in orange head cockroaches (Eublaberus posticus), Southeastern Association for Behavior Analysis, Columbia, SC, United States of America. (2022).
  • Edge, K. (Author & Presenter), Disco, H. (Author), Avakian, R. (Author), Varnon, C. (Author), 68th Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association, The effect of alcohol on startle response in orange head cockroaches, Southeastern Psychological Association, Hilton Head Island, SC, United States of America. (2022).
  • Varnon, C. (Author & Presenter), 2021 Southeast Regional IDeA Conference, Developing a new invertebrate model of alcoholism, San Juan, PR, United States of America. (2021).
  • Barrera, E. (Author & Presenter), Wilkes, I. (Author & Presenter), Varnon, C.A. (Author), 47th Annual Convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Appetitive conditioning in the orange head cockroach (Eublaberus posticus), Association for Behavior Analysis International, Online, United States of America. (2021).
  • Varnon, C.A. (Author & Presenter), Adams, A. (Author), 47th Annual Convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Habituation of the light-startle response of orange head cockroaches (Eublaberus posticus), Association for Behavior Analysis International, Online, United States of America. (2021).
  • Wilkes, I. (Author), Barrera, E. (Author & Presenter), Varnon, C. (Author), South Carolina IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence 2021 Science Symposium, Learning and memory in the orange head cockroach (Eublaberus posticus), SCINBRE, Online, United States of America. (2021).
  • Vallely, N. (Author & Presenter), Beheler, C. (Author & Presenter), Varnon, C.A. (Author), South Carolina IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence 2019 Science Symposium, Development of an invertebrate model of substance use: Challenges and novel methods with bumble bees, SCINBRE, Columbia, SC, United States of America. (2020).
  • Vallely, N. (Author & Presenter), Coffin, C. (Author & Presenter), Varnon, C.A. (Author), 26th Annual International Conference on Comparative Cognition, A novel method to study learning in wild and captive bumble bees: The defensive leg-lift response (DLR), Melbourne Beach, FL, United States of America. (2019).
  • Adams, A. (Author & Presenter), Varnon, C.A. (Author), 26th Annual International Conference on Comparative Cognition, Habituation and appetitive conditioning in cockroaches (Gromphadorhina portentosa and Eublaberus posticus), Melbourne Beach, FL, United States of America. (2019).
  • Vallely, N. (Author & Presenter), Coffin, C. (Author & Presenter), Varnon, C. (Author), South Carolina IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence 2018 Science Symposium, Ethanol consumption and learning in bumble bees (Bombus impatiens), SCINBRE, Columbia, SC, United States of America. (2018).
  • Adams, A. (Author & Presenter), Varnon, C. (Author), South Carolina IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence 2018 Science Symposium, Ethanol consumption and learning in hissing cockroaches (Gromphadorhina portentosa) and orange head cockroaches (Eublaberus posticus), SCINBRE, Columbia, SC, United States of America. (2018).
  • Lang, H. (Author), Varnon, C.A. (Author & Presenter), McKerchar, T.L. (Author), Witts, B.N. (Author), 2018 Annual Conference of the Society for the Quantitative Analyses of Behavior, A review of affordable custom-built devices for contemporary operant research, San Diego, CA, United States of America. (2018).
  • Varnon, C. (Author & Presenter), Dinges, C. (Author), Abramson, C. (Author), 41st Annual Convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Affordable custom research equipment using 3D printers and the propeller experiment controller, San Antonio, TX, United States of America. (2015).
  • Phelps, B. (Author & Presenter), Varnon, C. (Author), 41st Annual Convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Using a microprocessor-controller for measures of foraging behavior by free roaming eastern fox squirrels Sciurus niger, San Antonio, TX, United States of America. (2015).
  • Place, A. (Author & Presenter), Varnon, C. (Author), Craig, D. (Author), Abramson, C. (Author), Biology of Pitvipers Symposium 2, Investigations in learning arbitrary behaviors to thermoregulate in rattlesnakes (Crotalus atrox and Crotalus horridus), Tulsa, OK, United States of America. (2014).
  • Craig, D. (Author), Varnon, C. (Author & Presenter), Abramson, C. (Author), 39th Annual Convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Fixed interval performance in free-flying honey bees (Apis mellifera L.): An analysis of individual performance, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America. (2013).
  • Varnon, C. (Author & Presenter), Craig, D. (Author), Place, A. (Author), Abramson, C. (Author), 38th Annual Convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Issues in operant learning in rattlesnakes, Seattle, WA, United States of America. (2012).
  • Varnon, C. (Author & Presenter), Rosales-Ruiz, J. (Author), 37th Annual Convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Operant control of imprinting, Denver, CO, United States of America. (2011).

Media Contributions

    Internet

  • "So you want to be an applied animal behavior researcher?," Applied Animal Behavior Special Interest Group, Association for Behavior Analysis International. (November 2025).
  • "What is Behavior Analysis?," (October 2024).
  • "What can we learn from training cockroaches?," Animal Training Fundamentals with Barbara Heidenreich Global Online Animal Training Series.. (August 2023).
  • "Chris Varnon; assistant professor of psychology at Converse College … Part 2 (No. 139)," Animal Training Academy. (February 2021).
  • "Dr. Chris Varnon – learning with bumble bees, snakes, rats, pigeons and more! (No. 138)," Animal Training Academy. (February 2021).

    • Other

  • "Comparative psychology: From honey bees to horses," Clemson University Science on Tap Series. (August 2019).

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, $105797 Funded. (2020 - 2022).
  • Varnon, C. (Principal), "Cockroach Model of Alcoholism," sponsored by South Carolina INBRE NIH, State, $52534 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 UG Curriculum Committee. (August 2025 - Present).
  • Committee Member, College of Public Affairs and Health Sciences Research Committee. (August 2024 - Present).
  • Other, Department of Behavior Analysis Website Manager. (August 2024 - Present).
  • Committee Member, Lecturer Search Committee. (November 2025 - April 2026).
  • Committee Member, Department of Behavior Analysis MS Curriculum Committee. (August 2024 - August 2025).
  • Committee Member, Thesis Proposal Committee. (January 2024 - May 2024).
  • 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 Representative. (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, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. (2018 - 2023).
  • Committee Member, Psychology Undergraduate Advisor. (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).
  • Committee Member, Awards Committee. (2018 - 2021).

Public Service

  • Committee Member, Dorman High School STEM Advisory Board. Roebuck, SC. (2020 - 2023).

Professional Service

  • Editorial Review Board Member, International Journal of Comparative Psychology. (2021 - Present).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, Behavior Analysis in Practice. (April 2026).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, Behavior Analysis in Practice. (February 2026).
  • Judge, APA Division 25 Innovative Student Research Award Reviewer. (January 2026).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, Animal Cognition. (June 2025).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, The Canadian Entomologist. (February 2025).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, International Journal of Comparative Psychology. (January 2025).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, Journal of Comparative Physiology B. (2024).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, Animal Cognition. (November 2024).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, Behavior Analysis in Practice. (November 2024).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, International Journal of Comparative Psychology. (July 2024).
  • Editorial Review Board Member, Insects. (2020 - 2023).
  • Editorial Review Board Member, Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior. (2019 - 2023).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, Insects. (May 2023).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, Insects. (May 2023).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, International Journal of Comparative Psychology. (May 2023).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, Animals. (2022).
  • Reviewer, Grant Proposal, South Carolina INBRE. (May 2022).
  • Reviewer, Grant Proposal, National Science Centre Poland. (April 2022).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, Insects. (February 2022).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, Alcoholism Clinical & Experimental Research. (2021).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, Biology Letters. (2021).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, Insects. (2021).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, Insects. (2021).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, Agronomy. (2020).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, Insects. (2020).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, Insects. (August 2020).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, Current Psychology. (2019).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, International Journal of Comparative Psychology. (2019).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior. (April 2019).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, Current Psychology. (2018).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, Journal of Social Sciences. (2015).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, Innovative Teaching. (2013).