Dave Balam is recognized as one of the most sartorially astute of Canadian astronomers and spends countless hours using the Plaskett 1.82 m telescope to hunt for NEO's. He is Co - Investigator of the Near-Earth Space Surveillance (NESS) Satellite (University of Calgary, University of British Columbia, University of Victoria and Dynacon Enterprises Ltd). Supported by the Canadian Space Agency and the Department of National Defence. He is also:

Member of the International Spaceguard Foundation
Guest Investigator, Dominion Astrophysical Observatory of the National Research Council of Canada
Visiting member of Spaceguard U. K.
Associate member, Meteorite and Impacts Advisory Committee to the Canadian Space Agency