Rate My Professor Kayvan Etebari

Dr Kayvan Etebari serves as Senior Lecturer in Horticulture and Crop Entomology within the School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability at the University of Queensland. He earned his Doctor of Philosophy from the same institution. As an entomologist, Etebari's research centers on host-pathogen interactions and the discovery of insect-specific viruses aimed at developing sustainable biological control strategies for invasive agricultural pests. His investigations include gene expression profiles and the regulatory roles of small non-coding RNAs in various host-pathogen models, particularly in economically significant agricultural pests and medically important vectors such as the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Etebari has contributed to understanding the function of the Oryctes rhinoceros nudivirus in biocontrol programs targeting the coconut rhinoceros beetle in the Pacific Islands, advancing offshore biosecurity strategies. Additionally, his work focuses on entomopathogenic viruses affecting root-feeding pests in the Australian sugarcane industry, where he has established industry partnerships.

Etebari has secured competitive funding from prominent organizations, including Agrifutures Australia for 'Global Insights into Pest and Disease Management in Ginger (Zingiber officinale)' (2024-2026), Sugar Research Australia Limited for 'Viruses to aid biological control of major root-feeding pests of sugarcane' (2023-2027) and 'Towards more sustainable pest control strategies through a metagenomic survey of viral entomopathogens in canegrubs populations' (2022-2023), the University of Queensland Early Career Researcher Grant for 'Insect host-pathogens interaction and identification of novel insect-specific viruses in Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle in the Pacific Islands' (2020-2021), and Horticulture Australia Limited for 'Manipulation of regulatory microRNAs to suppress insecticide resistance in the diamondback moth' (2014-2017). His publication record comprises over 68 works in UQ eSpace, including the book chapter 'From insect virus discovery to application: opportunities, challenges, and directions' (Nolan and Etebari, 2025, Advances in Insect Physiology), 'Characterising the associated virome and microbiota of Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri) in Samoa' (Etebari et al., 2025, Pathogens), 'Transcriptomics reveal several novel viruses from canegrubs (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in central Queensland, Australia' (Etebari et al., 2022, Viruses), and 'Functions of small RNAs in mosquitoes' (Hussain, Etebari, and Asgari, 2016, Progress in Mosquito Research). Etebari is available for higher degree research supervision, recognized as a media expert, and was appointed a Queensland Biosecurity Mates Ambassador in 2024.