Brief Academic Background. Dr. Lotis M. Balala is a graduate of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Central Mindanao University and MS in Veterinary Medicine at the University of the Philippines Los Baños. She is already in the dissertation stage of her PhD in Microbiology at the University of the Philippines Los Baños. She was a recipient of various scholarship awards such as VSU-Fellowship, SEARCA-DAAD, DOST-ASTHRDP, and DOST-PCAARRD for her graduate studies. Her field of specialization is in the areas of Microbiology and Public Health. She has published scientific papers in refereed international and national journals and won a number of awards in the scientific fora. She is a member of the Philippine Veterinary Medical Association, Philippine Society for Animal Science, Philippine Society for Microbiology, Philippine Society for Lactic Acid Bacteria, Philippine Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and the National Research Council of the Philippines.
Teaching
- VMed 147 – Food Hygiene and Public Health
- VMed 143 – Veterinary Virology
- VMed 144 – Immunology
- InBt 113 – Cellular and Molecular Immunology
- VMed 171 – Introduction to Veterinary Medicine
- Zoot 115 – Laboratory Animal Production
Interest
- Professional. Dr. Balala is passionate about teaching and training veterinary students to become benevolent and confident professionals in their field. She aspires to engage in a healthy mentor-mentee relationship to help students fulfill their greatest dream to be successful veterinarians in the future.
- Research. She is interested in the One-Health approach of disease investigation, zoonoses, antimicrobial resistance, antimicrobial screening of natural products, native chicken health and production, and management of farm-derived wastes. She currently works on the Longitudinal Study of Salmonella Contamination in Philippine Native Chickens under a free-range farm model.
- Extension. She has been in the frontline of public education, a staunch advocate of responsible pet ownership and rabies control. She loves to train farmers in developing the basic skill of detecting animal disease symptomatology. She is a certified pet lover and loves to assist student-organized activities like vaccination drives, spay and neuter, dog shows, and pet exhibits.
Hobbies. Loves cooking, traveling and biking. She is fond of listening to inspirational talks and Christian music.
Publications
- Lañada EB, Quilicot AMM, Balala LM, Cortez ES, Peña ST Jr., Torregoza RB, and Cano MM. 2019. Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Relating to Rabies Control in Baybay City, Leyte, Philippines. Annals of Tropical Research, 41(2)
- Lumain, JPLM and Balala LM. 2019. Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Fasciola and Paramphistomum spp. Infection in Buffaloes in Ormoc City Abattoir. Annals of Tropical Research, 41(2)
- Lumain, JPLM and Balala LM. 2018. Suitability of Danish Bilharziasis Laboratory Technique (DBL) as Detection Test for Trematode Infection in Buffaloes. The CLSU International Journal of Science and Technology, 39(2): 1–8
- Salares, EFO and Balala LM. 2018. Phytochemical Screening and Antimicrobial Activity of Terminalia catappa Leaf Extract Against Potential Pathogens of Animals. Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology, 6:15-26 (2018)
- Tapdasan, EP, Balala LM, Olana, KOA, Bajenting, GP, Salces, CB. 2018. Prevalence of Mastitis and Analysis of Risk factors among Dairy Buffaloes in Ubay, Bohol, Philippines. Journal of Agriculture and Technology Management, 21(1): 17-23
- Oppus, NJA and Balala, LM. 2015. Usefulness of Bixa orellana Leaf Extract Against Some Veterinary Pathogens. International Journal of Development Research. 5(4): 4132-4136.
- Salada, JT, Balala, LM and EA Vasquez. 2015. Phytochemical and Antibacterial Studies of Lantana camara L. Leaf Fraction and Essential Oil. International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications. 5(3): 128-132.
- Balala, LM, Rovira, HG, Vizmanos, MFC, Bernardo, FAEM and BP Divina, 2006. Serologic Identification and Antibiotic Sensitivity Testing of Salmonella spp. In Poultry. Philippine Journal of Veterinary Medicine. 4 (2): 63-70.