Match tier
Confirmed
Presence
Current · Arkansas
Last published
2026
Sources
OpenAlex · ORCID
Refreshed
2026-10-08
E
Erica L. Westerman
Affiliation confirmed via AI analysis of OpenAlex, ORCID, and web sources.
Federal Grant PI
Associate Professor
Also affiliated: University of New Hampshire (2006); Yale University (2008–2016); University of Chicago (2014–2025)
18 h-index
69 pubs
1,102 cited
Research Areas
Biomedical Subjects
Links
Biography and Research Information
OverviewAI-generated summary
Erica L. Westerman's research program focuses on the evolutionary biology and behavioral ecology of butterflies, with a particular emphasis on the genetic and environmental factors shaping wing color variation, mimicry, and mate choice. Her work has investigated how specific genes, such as Aristaless, control the development of wing coloration patterns that are utilized in both predator avoidance through mimicry and in mate selection. Westerman's studies have also explored the role of learned behaviors in influencing mate preferences, suggesting that butterflies may learn to associate certain traits with desirable mates, which can facilitate the matching of preferences with available phenotypes.
Westerman has secured significant federal funding to support her research endeavors. She has served as Principal Investigator (PI) on an NSF CAREER award totaling over $1.3 million, which investigates the influence of light environment and genetics on visual and behavioral plasticity. Additionally, she was PI on another NSF grant focused on the role of extracellular RNA in intercellular and interkingdom communication, receiving approximately $771,000. She also serves as a Co-PI on an NSF REU grant aimed at assessing ecosystem services at the nexus of food, energy, and water systems, with funding of $491,183. These grants underscore the breadth and significance of her funded research.
With a scholarly profile that includes an h-index of 17 and over 1,000 citations across 68 publications, Westerman demonstrates a substantial contribution to her field. Her collaborations within the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, including shared publications with Sushant Potdar, Matthew J. Murphy, Grace E. Hirzel, and Yi Ting Ter, highlight her active engagement within the research community. Her lab maintains an active website, indicating ongoing research activities and engagement.
Metrics
- h-index: 18
- Publications: 69
- Citations: 1,102
Positions
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University of Arkansas 2016–presentBiological Sciences ORCID
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Associate Professor publications 2017–2026University of Arkansas at Fayetteville Institution web page
Selected Publications
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Proteomic consequences of male mate preference learning and female phenotype in the butterfly Bicyclus anynana (2026)
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The gene yellow influences aversive mate preference learning in a butterfly (2026)
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Neurotranscriptomic signatures of natural variation in mate preference learning in two subspecies of Heliconius melpomene butterflies (2026)
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Female olfactory sensitivity is temporally asynchronous with male courtship in a butterfly (2025)
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Synchronous seasonal plasticity in coloration, behaviour and visual gene expression in a wild butterfly population (2025)
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Divergent sensory transcriptomic profiles in positive and negative learning in Bicyclus Anynana butterflies (2025)
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Sex-limited diversification of the eye in Heliconius cydno butterflies (2025)
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Introduction to Plant–Pollinator Interactions in a Changing Landscape: Embracing Integrative Approaches Across Scales (2025)
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The role of epigenetics and non-genetic inheritance in plant–pollinator interactions: A perspective (2025)
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Plant-Pollinator Interactions in the Anthropocene: Why We Need a Systems Approach (2025)
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Every Hue Has Its Fan Club: Diverse Patterns of Color-Dependent Flower Visitation across Lepidoptera (2025)
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Female Olfactory Sensitivity Is Temporally Asynchronous with Male Courtship in a Butterfly (2024)
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Behavioural changes in aposematic Heliconius melpomene butterflies in response to their predatory bird calls (2024)
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Synchronous seasonal plasticity in colouration, behaviour, and visual gene expression in a wild butterfly population (2024)
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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
Cornell University
10 shared publications
In database
- A widely diverged locus involved in locomotor adaptation in Heliconius 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 *
- Behavioural changes in aposematic Heliconius melpomene butterflies in response to their predatory bird calls
Showing 5 of 10 shared publications
Wei Zhang
Peking University (CN)
6 shared publications
- Aristaless Controls Butterfly Wing Color Variation Used in Mimicry and Mate Choice
- The evolution and diversification of oakleaf butterflies
- Tracing the origin and evolution of supergene mimicry in butterflies
- A widely diverged locus involved in locomotor adaptation in Heliconius butterflies
- A widely diverged locus involved in locomotor adaptation in Heliconius butterflies
Showing 5 of 6 shared publications
David A. Ernst
Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences
6 shared publications
In database
- Stage- and sex-specific transcriptome analyses reveal distinctive sensory gene expression patterns in a butterfly
- A learning experience elicits sex‐dependent neurogenomic responses in Bicyclus anynana butterflies
- Effect of experience on mating behaviour in male Heliconius melpomene butterflies
- Wing-pattern-specific effects of experience on mating behavior in Heliconius melpomene butterflies
- Ontogenetic changes in sensory gene expression in Bicyclus anynana butterflies
Showing 5 of 6 shared publications
Marcus R. Kronforst
University of Chicago (US)
5 shared publications
- Aristaless Controls Butterfly Wing Color Variation Used in Mimicry and Mate Choice
- Tracing the origin and evolution of supergene mimicry in butterflies
- Does male preference play a role in maintaining female limited polymorphism in a Batesian mimetic butterfly?
- Behaviour before beauty: Signal weighting during mate selection in the butterfly Papilio polytes
- Sex-limited diversification of the eye in Heliconius cydno butterflies
Sean C. McConnell
American Medical Association (US)
5 shared publications
- United States National Postdoc Survey results and the interaction of gender, career choice and mentor impact
- Career Choice, Gender, and Mentor Impact: Results of the U.S. National Postdoc Survey
- Author response: United States National Postdoc Survey results and the interaction of gender, career choice and mentor impact
- Research: United States National Postdoc Survey results and the interaction of gender, career choice and mentor impact
- Research: United States National Postdoc Survey results and the interaction of gender, career choice and mentor impact
Erin J. Heckler
Washington University in St. Louis (US)
5 shared publications
- United States National Postdoc Survey results and the interaction of gender, career choice and mentor impact
- Career Choice, Gender, and Mentor Impact: Results of the U.S. National Postdoc Survey
- Author response: United States National Postdoc Survey results and the interaction of gender, career choice and mentor impact
- Research: United States National Postdoc Survey results and the interaction of gender, career choice and mentor impact
- Research: United States National Postdoc Survey results and the interaction of gender, career choice and mentor impact
Nancy B. Schwartz
University of Chicago (US)
5 shared publications
- United States National Postdoc Survey results and the interaction of gender, career choice and mentor impact
- Career Choice, Gender, and Mentor Impact: Results of the U.S. National Postdoc Survey
- Author response: United States National Postdoc Survey results and the interaction of gender, career choice and mentor impact
- Research: United States National Postdoc Survey results and the interaction of gender, career choice and mentor impact
- Research: United States National Postdoc Survey results and the interaction of gender, career choice and mentor impact
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
- Engaging the Community in Pollinator Research: The Effect of Wing Pattern and Weather on Butterfly Behavior
- Evolutionary history limits species’ ability to match color sensitivity to available habitat light
- Female olfactory sensitivity is temporally asynchronous with male courtship in a butterfly
- Female Olfactory Sensitivity Is Temporally Asynchronous with Male Courtship in a Butterfly
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
- Engaging the Community in Pollinator Research: The Effect of Wing Pattern and Weather on Butterfly Behavior
- One size does not fit all: Family specific differences in seasonal patterns of abundance and behavior in butterfly communities
- Synchronous seasonal plasticity in coloration, behaviour and visual gene expression in a wild butterfly population
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
Stephanie E. Palmer
University of Chicago (US)
3 shared publications
- Aristaless Controls Butterfly Wing Color Variation Used in Mimicry and Mate Choice
- Tracing the origin and evolution of supergene mimicry in butterflies
- Sex-limited diversification of the eye in Heliconius cydno butterflies
Joseph F. Pierre
University of Tennessee Health Science Center (US)
3 shared publications
- United States National Postdoc Survey results and the interaction of gender, career choice and mentor impact
- Career Choice, Gender, and Mentor Impact: Results of the U.S. National Postdoc Survey
- Author response: United States National Postdoc Survey results and the interaction of gender, career choice and mentor impact
Angel G. Rivera‐Colón
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (US)
3 shared publications
- Multiple Loci Control Eyespot Number Variation on the Hindwings of Bicyclus anynana Butterflies
- The genetic basis of hindwing eyespot number variation in Bicyclus anynana butterflies
- Multiple loci control eyespot number variation on the hindwings of Bicyclus anynana butterflies
Steven M. Van Belleghem
University of Puerto Rico at Río Piedras (PR)
3 shared publications
- Multiple Loci Control Eyespot Number Variation on the Hindwings of Bicyclus anynana Butterflies
- The genetic basis of hindwing eyespot number variation in Bicyclus anynana butterflies
- Multiple loci control eyespot number variation on the hindwings of Bicyclus anynana butterflies
Antónia Monteiro
National University of Singapore (SG)
3 shared publications
- Multiple Loci Control Eyespot Number Variation on the Hindwings of Bicyclus anynana Butterflies
- The genetic basis of hindwing eyespot number variation in Bicyclus anynana butterflies
- Multiple loci control eyespot number variation on the hindwings of Bicyclus anynana butterflies
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