Lois Balmer

Associate Professor Lois Balmer is an academic at Edith Cowan University (ECU) in the School of Medical and Health Sciences, with affiliations to the Centre for Precision Health. She holds dual roles as a researcher and educator, specializing in diabetes genetics, glycobiology, and medical education. Her teaching focuses on biomedical science and genetics at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, including coordinating units like SCH2141 Advanced Biomedical Techniques and SCH6234 Molecular Biology and Genomics. Balmer’s research explores genetic underpinnings of Type 1/2 Diabetes complications, glycomics, and suboptimal health status, with over 12 PhD students supervised to date.

Education: PhD in Medical Science (University of Western Australia, 2005).

Research Interests: Balmer’s work bridges clinical and basic science, focusing on diabetes pathogenesis, biomarker discovery (e.g., IgG N-glycosylation profiling), and translational studies in chronic disease. Recent projects investigate S-methyl cysteine sulfoxide’s role in cardiometabolic health and ellagic acid’s potential in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

Awards: Notable recognitions include the 2023 Athena Swan Award for STEMM advancement, 2021 SDR Scientific Education Award, and multiple teaching excellence nominations. Her work has been funded by grants totaling over AU$2 million, including NH&MRC Program Grants and ECU Early Career Research schemes.

Grants & Projects: Recent funding includes a WA Near-Miss Award (2024-2025) for cardiometabolic health studies and a $39,511 grant examining S-methyl cysteine sulfoxide’s health effects. She has led projects on beta cell mass genetics and collaborated on diabetes susceptibility mapping in domestic cats.

Labs & Teams: Affiliated with ECU’s Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research and the Nathan Centre for Rare Disease as a Research Advisor. Active in editorial roles for Gene Protein and Disease and Frontiers in Endocrinology.