My work attempts to understand the neuronal mechanisms of learning and memory, particularly in invertebrate systems. In addition, I conduct comparative analyses of behavior in a wide range of invertebrate species. I also perform investigations into the behavioral pharmacology of pollutants and have an interest in apparatus design and in using invertebrates for promoting science education within the United States and abroad.

Selected Publications

Giray, T., Abramson, C. I., Chicas-Mosier*, A, Brewster* T., Hayes*, C., Rivera-Vega*, K., Williams*, M., Wells, H., (2015). Effect of octopamine manipulation on honeybee decisions making: reward and cost differences associated with foraging. Animal Behaviour, 100 (144-150).

Dinges**, C. W., Avalos**, A., Abramson, C. I., Craig**, D. P. A., Austin*, Z. M., Varnon**, C. A., 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, 4124-4134.      doi:10.1242/jeb.090100.

Abramson, C. I., Cakmak, I., Duell*, M. E., Bates-Albers*, L. M., Zuniga*, E. M., Pendegraft*, L., Barnett*, A., Cowo*, C. L., Warren*, J. J., Albritton-Ford*, A. C., Barthell, J. F., Hranitz, J. M., &  Wells, H. (2013).  Feature-positive and feature-negative learning in honey bees. Journal ofExperimental Biology. 216, 224-229. doi:10.1242/jeb.069088.

Craig**, D. A. P., Grice, J. W., Varnon**, C. A., Gibson*, B., Sokolowski, M. B. C., & Abramson, C. I.  (2012).  Social reinforcement delays in free-flying honey bee (Apis mellifera L.). PLoS ONE. 7(10)       e46729. doi 10.1371/journal.pone.0046729.

Abramson, C. I. Sokolowski, M. B., Brown**, E. A., & Pilard, S. (2012). The effect of pymetrozine (Plenum WG-50®) on proboscis extension conditioning in honey bees (Apis mellifera: Hybrid var. Buckfast). Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 78, 287-295. doi:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2011.11.038.

* Refers to undergraduate co-authors

** Refers to graduate student co-authors

Recent Grants

“PIRE: Neural mechanisms of reward and decision” National Science Foundation, 9/16/2015 – 9/16/2019

     ($4,000,000).

“NRI: Collaborative goal and policy learning from human operators of construction co-robots”  National 

     Science Foundation, 8/1/2015 – 7/31/2018 ($900,000).