Balela was recognized during DOST’s National Science and Technology Week 2024 with the Outstanding Research and Development Award for developing modular kapok booms for marine oil spills. Her work uses biodegradable, locally sourced kapok fibres to create reusable oil sorbents capable of absorbing several times their weight in oil, offering a sustainable, low-waste solution for oil spill mitigation and marine environmental protection.

(Photo: University of the Philippines Diliman)