Match tier
Confirmed
Presence
Current · Arkansas
Last published
2026
Sources
OpenAlex · ORCID
Refreshed
2026-08-20
E
Erica L. Westerman
Affiliation confirmed via AI analysis of OpenAlex, ORCID, and web sources.
Federal Grant PI
Researcher
Also affiliated: University of New Hampshire (2006); Yale University (2008–2016); University of Chicago (2014–2025); Moscow State University of Technologies and Management named after K.G. Razumovskiy (2010)
Faculty Researcher
17 h-index
66 pubs
1,089 cited
Research Areas
Biomedical Subjects
Links
Biography and Research Information
OverviewAI-generated summary
Erica L. Westerman's research investigates the evolutionary biology and genetics of butterflies, with a particular focus on visual systems, mate preference, and coloration.
Her work has explored the genetic basis of mate choice and visual perception in species such as *Heliconius* and *Bicyclus anynana*. Westerman has received significant funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF), including a CAREER award for her research on the role of light environment and genetics in shaping visual and behavioral plasticity, and another grant for investigating extracellular RNA in intercellular and interkingdom communication. She also serves as a Co-PI on an NSF REU site grant focused on ecosystem services.
Westerman's publications address topics including the evolution of oakleaf butterflies, the contribution of nocturnal pollinators to apple production, and gene expression patterns related to sensory systems in butterflies. Her h-index is 17 with over 1,000 citations across 65 publications. She collaborates with researchers at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, including Sushant Potdar, Matthew J. Murphy, Grace E. Hirzel, and Yi Ting Ter.
Metrics
- h-index: 17
- Publications: 66
- Citations: 1,089
Selected Publications
-
Proteomic consequences of male mate preference learning and female phenotype in the butterfly <i>Bicyclus anynana</i> (2026)
-
The gene <i>yellow</i> influences aversive mate preference learning in a butterfly (2026)
-
Neurotranscriptomic signatures of natural variation in mate preference learning in two subspecies of <i>Heliconius melpomene</i> butterflies (2026)
-
Female olfactory sensitivity is temporally asynchronous with male courtship in a butterfly (2025)
-
Synchronous seasonal plasticity in coloration, behaviour and visual gene expression in a wild butterfly population (2025)
-
Divergent sensory transcriptomic profiles in positive and negative learning in Bicyclus Anynana butterflies (2025)
-
Sex-limited diversification of the eye in Heliconius cydno butterflies (2025)
-
Introduction to Plant–Pollinator Interactions in a Changing Landscape: Embracing Integrative Approaches Across Scales (2025)
-
The role of epigenetics and non-genetic inheritance in plant–pollinator interactions: A perspective (2025)
-
Plant-Pollinator Interactions in the Anthropocene: Why We Need a Systems Approach (2025)
-
Every Hue Has Its Fan Club: Diverse Patterns of Color-Dependent Flower Visitation across Lepidoptera (2025)
-
Female Olfactory Sensitivity Is Temporally Asynchronous with Male Courtship in a Butterfly (2024)
-
Behavioural changes in aposematic Heliconius melpomene butterflies in response to their predatory bird calls (2024)
-
Synchronous seasonal plasticity in colouration, behaviour, and visual gene expression in a wild butterfly population (2024)
-
Asynchronous temporal variance in learning behaviour and neural gene expression in a butterfly (2024)
Federal Grants 3 $2,615,757 total
NSF
Co-PI
Mar 2024 - Feb 2027
NSF
PI
Mar 2023 - Feb 2027
NSF
PI
Mar 2023 - Feb 2028
CAREER: The Role of Light Environment and Genetics in Shaping Visual and Behavioral Plasticity
Collaboration Network
Top Collaborators
Sushant Potdar
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
9 shared publications
In database
- A widely diverged locus involved in locomotor adaptation in <i>Heliconius</i> butterflies
- Plant-Pollinator Interactions in the Anthropocene: Why We Need a Systems Approach
- The role of epigenetics and non-genetic inheritance in plant–pollinator interactions: A perspective
- Digest: Recurrence of sexually dimorphic neurological structure in neotropical butterflies <sup>*</sup>
- Behavioural changes in aposematic <i>Heliconius melpomene</i> butterflies in response to their predatory bird calls
Showing 5 of 9 shared publications
Matthew J. Murphy
Center for Grain and Animal Health Research
5 shared publications
In database
- Evolutionary history limits species' ability to match colour sensitivity to available habitat light
- Evolutionary history limits species’ ability to match color sensitivity to available habitat light
- Engaging the Community in Pollinator Research: The Effect of Wing Pattern and Weather on Butterfly Behavior
- Female olfactory sensitivity is temporally asynchronous with male courtship in a butterfly
- Female Olfactory Sensitivity Is Temporally Asynchronous with Male Courtship in a Butterfly
Dequn Teng
Peking University (CN)
5 shared publications
- The evolution and diversification of oakleaf butterflies
- A widely diverged locus involved in locomotor adaptation in <i>Heliconius</i> butterflies
- The Genetics and Evolution of Leaf Mimicry in Kallima Butterflies
- A widely diverged locus involved in locomotor adaptation in Heliconius butterflies
- A widely diverged locus involved in locomotor adaptation in Heliconius butterflies
Grace E. Hirzel
North Dakota State University
4 shared publications
In database
- Synchronous seasonal plasticity in colouration, behaviour, and visual gene expression in a wild butterfly population
- One size does not fit all: Family specific differences in seasonal patterns of abundance and behavior in butterfly communities
- Engaging the Community in Pollinator Research: The Effect of Wing Pattern and Weather on Butterfly Behavior
- Synchronous seasonal plasticity in coloration, behaviour and visual gene expression in a wild butterfly population
David A. Ernst
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville (US)
4 shared publications
- Stage- and sex-specific transcriptome analyses reveal distinctive sensory gene expression patterns in a butterfly
- A learning experience elicits sex‐dependent neurogenomic responses in <i>Bicyclus anynana</i> butterflies
- Effect of experience on mating behaviour in male Heliconius melpomene butterflies
- A learning experience elicits sex-dependent neurogenomic responses in <i>Bicyclus anynana</i> butterflies
Yi Ting Ter
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
4 shared publications
In database
- Divergent sensory transcriptomic profiles in positive and negative learning in Bicyclus Anynana butterflies
- Female olfactory sensitivity is temporally asynchronous with male courtship in a butterfly
- Asynchronous temporal variance in learning behaviour and neural gene expression in a butterfly
- Female Olfactory Sensitivity Is Temporally Asynchronous with Male Courtship in a Butterfly
Abbigail N. Merrill
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
3 shared publications
In database
- A learning experience elicits sex‐dependent neurogenomic responses in <i>Bicyclus anynana</i> butterflies
- Engaging the Community in Pollinator Research: The Effect of Wing Pattern and Weather on Butterfly Behavior
- A learning experience elicits sex-dependent neurogenomic responses in <i>Bicyclus anynana</i> butterflies
Neelendra K. Joshi
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
3 shared publications
In database
- Nocturnal Pollinators Significantly Contribute to Apple Production
- Female olfactory sensitivity is temporally asynchronous with male courtship in a butterfly
- Female Olfactory Sensitivity Is Temporally Asynchronous with Male Courtship in a Butterfly
Yubo Zhang
Center for Life Sciences (CN)
3 shared publications
- The evolution and diversification of oakleaf butterflies
- A widely diverged locus involved in locomotor adaptation in <i>Heliconius</i> butterflies
- The Genetics and Evolution of Leaf Mimicry in Kallima Butterflies
Wei Lu
Peking University (CN)
3 shared publications
- A widely diverged locus involved in locomotor adaptation in <i>Heliconius</i> butterflies
- A widely diverged locus involved in locomotor adaptation in Heliconius butterflies
- A widely diverged locus involved in locomotor adaptation in Heliconius butterflies
Hua Zeng
Peking University (CN)
3 shared publications
- A widely diverged locus involved in locomotor adaptation in <i>Heliconius</i> butterflies
- A widely diverged locus involved in locomotor adaptation in Heliconius butterflies
- A widely diverged locus involved in locomotor adaptation in Heliconius butterflies
Alan Jian Zhu
Peking University (CN)
3 shared publications
- A widely diverged locus involved in locomotor adaptation in <i>Heliconius</i> butterflies
- A widely diverged locus involved in locomotor adaptation in Heliconius butterflies
- A widely diverged locus involved in locomotor adaptation in Heliconius butterflies
Wei Zhang
Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research (CN)
2 shared publications
- The evolution and diversification of oakleaf butterflies
- A widely diverged locus involved in locomotor adaptation in <i>Heliconius</i> butterflies
Shuting Wang
Peking University (CN)
2 shared publications
- The evolution and diversification of oakleaf butterflies
- The Genetics and Evolution of Leaf Mimicry in Kallima Butterflies
Peiwen Yang
Peking University (CN)
2 shared publications
- The evolution and diversification of oakleaf butterflies
- The Genetics and Evolution of Leaf Mimicry in Kallima Butterflies
Similar Researchers
Based on overlapping research topics
Gabrielle A. Agcaoili
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
Grace E. Hirzel
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
Taryn L. Tibbs
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
Abbigail N. Merrill
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
Connor Gale
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
Melanie Beehler
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
Wildlife Ecology and Conservation