My main research is focused on the tripartite interactions between host, pathogen, and microbiota to understand how the innate immune system (Toll and Imd pathways) and gut microbiota interact to influence host defense and pathogen dynamics. In parallel, I investigate bacterial virulence evolution through experimental evolution approaches, with a particular focus on how host immunity and microbiota contribute to shaping pathogen virulence. To do so, I use the insect model system Tenebrio molitor and bacterial models such as Pseudomonas entomophila and Providencia burhodogranariea (strain B).To study the functional role of immune signaling pathways, I employ the RNA interference (RNAi) technique.

[18] Konopińska N., Walkowiak-Nowicka K., Nowicki G., Keshavarz M., Chowański Sz., Rolff J. and Urbański A. (2026) Tachykinin-related peptide signalling is important for the immune response of the mealworm beetle Tenebrio molitor L. Frontiers in Immunology.

[17] Maryam Keshavarz, Mathias Franz, Haicheng Xie, Caroline Zanchi, Susan Mbedi, Sarah Sparmann, Jens Rolff (2025), Immune-mediated indirect interaction between gut microbiota and bacterial pathogens, BMC biology.

[16] Maryam Keshavarz, Caroline Zanchi, Jens Rolff (2023), The effect of combined knockdowns of Attacins on survival and bacterial load in Tenebrio molitor, Frontiers in Immunology.

[15] Arkadiusz Urbański, Paul Johnston, Elisa Bittermann, Maryam Keshavarz, Véronique Paris, Karolina Walkowiak-Nowicka, Natalia Konopińska, Paweł Marciniak, Jens Rolff (2022). Tachykinin-related peptides modulate immune-gene expression in the mealworm beetle Tenebrio molitor L. Scientific Reports.

[14] Maryam Ali Mohammadie Kojour, Tariku Tesfaye Edosa, Jang Ho Am, Maryam Keshavarz, Yong Hun Jo,Yeon Soo Han (2021). Critical Roles of Spätzle5 in Antimicrobial Peptide Production Against Escherichia coli in Tenebrio molitor Malpighian Tubules. Frontiers in Immunology.

[13] Yong Hun Jo, Jung Hee Lee, Bharat Bhusan Patnaik, Maryam Keshavarz, Yong Seok Lee and Yeon Soo Han (2021). Autophagy in Tenebrio molitor Immunity: Conserved Antimicrobial Functions in Insect Defenses. Frontiers in Immunology.

[12] Maryam Keshavarz, Yong Hun Jo, Tariku Tesfaye Edosa and Yeon Soo Han (2020). Tenebrio molitor PGRP-LE plays a critical role in gut antimicrobial peptide production in response to Escherichia coli. Frontiers in Physiology.

[11] Maryam Keshavarz, Yong Hun Jo, Bharat Bhusan Patnaik, Ki Beom Park, Hye Jin Ko, Chang Eun Kim, Tariku Tesfaye Edosa, Yong Seok Lee, and Yeon Soo Han (2020), TmRelish is required for regulating the antimicrobial responses to Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus in Tenebrio molitor. Scientific Reports

[10] Maryam Keshavarz, Yong Hun Jo, Tariku Tesfaye Edosa, Young Min Bae and Yeon Soo Han (2020). TmPGRP-SA regulates Antimicrobial Response to Bacteria and Fungi in the Fat Body and Gut of Tenebrio molitor. International Journal of Molecular Sciences.

[9] Maryam Keshavarz, Yong Hun Jo, Tariku Tesfaye Edosa and Yeon Soo Han (2020). Two roles for Tenebrio molitor Relish in the regulation of antimicrobial peptides and autophagy-related genes in response to Listeria monocytogenes. Insects.

[8] Tariku Tesfaye Edosa, Yong Hun Jo, Maryam Keshavarz, Ki Beom Park, Young Min Bae, Dong Hyun Kim Yong Seok Lee, Yeon Soo Han (2020). TmSpz4 Plays an Important Role in Regulating the Production of Antimicrobial Peptides in Response to Escherichia coli and Candida albicans Infections. International Journal of Molecular Sciences.

[7] Tariku Tesfaye Edosa, Yong Hun Jo, Maryam Keshavarz, Ki Beom Park, Jun Ho Cho, Young Min Bae, Bobae Kim, Yong Seok Lee, Yeon Soo Han (2020). TmAtg6 plays an important role in anti-microbial defense against Listeria monocytogenes in the mealworm, Tenebrio molitor. International Journal of Molecular Sciences.

[6] Tariku Tesfaye Edosa, Yong Hun Jo, Maryam Keshavarz, Young Min Bae, Dong Hyun Kim, Yong Seok Lee, Yeon Soo Han (2020), TmSpz6 Is Essential for Regulating the Immune Response to Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus Infection in Tenebrio molitor. Insects.

[5] Chang Eun Kim, Ki Beom Park, Hye Jin Ko, Maryam Keshavarz, Tariku Tesfaye Edosa, Young Min Bae, Bo Bae Kim, Bharat Bhusan Patnaik, Ho Am Jang, Yong Seok Lee, Yeon Soo Han and Yong Hun Jo (2020). Aedes albopictus autophagy-related gene 8 (AaAtg8) is required to confer anti-bacterial gut immunity. International Journal of Molecular Sciences.

[4] Maryam Keshavarz, Yong Hun Jo, Ki Beom Park, Hye Jin Ko, Tariku Tesfaye Edosa,Yong Seok Lee & Yeon Soo Han (2019). TmDorX2 positively regulates antimicrobial peptides in Tenebrio molitor gut, fat body, and hemocytes in response to bacterial and fungal infection. Scientific Reports.

[3] Tariku Tesfaye Edosa, Yong Hun Jo, Maryam Keshavarz, Yeon soo Han (2019). Biosurfactants: Production and potential application in insect pest management: Trends in Entomology.

[2] Tariku Tesfaye Edosa, Yong Hun Jo, Maryam Keshavarz, Young Sang Anh, Mi Young Noh, Yeon soo Han (2018). Current Status of the Fall Webworm, Hyphantria cunea: Management Perspectives, Journal of Applied Entomology

[1] Maryam Keshavarz, Marjan Seiedy, and Hossein Allahyari (2015). Preference of two populations of Propylea quatuordecimpunctata (Coleoptra: Coccinellidae) for Aphis fabae and Aphis gossypii (Homoptera: Aphididae). European Journal of Entomology. European Journal of Entomology.