Masu Mohammad Bala is a senior medical laboratory Scientist/Entomologist with the integrated vector management branch, National Malaria Elimination Programme, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare Abuja, Nigeria, and a PhD student at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Bala’s career trajectory in vector control was shaped through the NMEP's Institutional Capacity Strengthening (ICS) program supported by Solina Centre for International Development and Research (SCIDaR/Solina group) as he identified gaps with the NMEP’s IVM branch and developed a road map for addressing the gap which motivated his journey to pursue a PhD in infectious Disease and Tropical Medicine with specialization in medical entomology under the supervision and mentored of Professor Jo Lines.

Bala's current position at the NMEP provides him with the opportunity to have vast experience in policy development for malaria vector control implementation in Nigeria with technical expertise in entomological surveillance, insecticide resistance monitoring studies, insecticide-treated nets mass campaign implementation, seasonal malaria chemoprevention, social behavioural change communication for malaria control and NTD interventions in Nigeria.

Bala’s doctoral research, “Rice Irrigation and Malaria in Nigeria: Re-examining the “Paddies Paradox,” aimed at re-examining the rice-mosquitoes-malaria relationship and exploring potential interventions against mosquito larvae in rice fields. The research will provide opportunities for malaria and Agricultural stakeholders to better understand their roles in inter-sectoral collaboration which aligns with the Honourable Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Multi-Sectoral Agenda to enhance public health and Healthcare services delivery in Nigeria for a cost-effective and efficient policy decisions.

He is a member of the Pan-African Mosquito Control Association (PAMCA), Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN), Entomology Society of Nigeria, Nigerian Institute of Management Charted (NIM), American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.