Naomi E. Pierce

Pierce's early work focused on insect behavioral ecology, particularly the evolution of mutualism. Since then, she has contributed widely to the fields of ecology and evolutionary biology, with research on host defense/pathogen virulence, conservation, speciation and diversification, and insect-plant coevolution. She has also been involved in reconstructing the evolutionary 'Tree of life' of insects and published the first detailed molecular phylogenies of both the butterflies and the ants. She is a staunch advocate of diversity in science, encouraging women, minorities and underserved students from around the world. MacArthur Fellow (1988); E.O. Wilson Naturalist Award (2016); International Prize for Biology (2019).