Muhammad Bilal, DVM, MPhil
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Muhammad Bilal, DVM, MPhil, is a PhD candidate in Veterinary Parasitology at the University of Calgary, Canada. He earned his DVM from Arid Agriculture University, Pakistan, and an MPhil in Epidemiology and Public Health from the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS), Pakistan. His doctoral research centers on the development of novel molecular diagnostics for cattle lice applying next generation sequencing and LAMP technology to DNA skin swabs for species identification and detection of drug resistance. In October 2025, he commenced a Residency in Veterinary Parasitology through the NCVP as the Merck Resident, under the supervision of Dr. John Gilleard at the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.
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Five Questions with NCVP Merck Resident Dr. Muhammad Bilal
Tell us a little about your background. Where are you from, what are some of the defining experiences of your life?
I was born and raised in Pakistan, where I received my early education in my hometown. I spent most of my free time playing video games and enjoying outdoor activities with friends. Growing up, I developed a strong passion for animals and science, which led me to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. My curiosity about research and love for exploring new places eventually brought me to Canada, where I am currently pursuing my PhD at the University of Calgary.
How did you initially become interested in veterinary medicine?
My interest in veterinary medicine began with a deep love for animals and curiosity about their health and diseases. During my intermediate studies, I chose biology as my main subject, which strengthened my fascination with how living organisms function and how diseases affect them. This passion continued to grow over time and eventually inspired me to pursue admission to one of the top-ranked veterinary universities in Pakistan. As I progressed through my degree, I became increasingly captivated by the science behind animal health and the vital role veterinarians play in improving animal welfare and public health.
How did you become interested in parasitology? When did you know it would be your field?
My interest in parasitology began during my DVM studies, where I was fascinated by how parasites interact with their hosts and the impact, they have on animal health and productivity. This curiosity deepened during my MPhil, where I expanded my understanding of parasitic diseases and their epidemiology. The turning point came when I had the opportunity to join Dr. John Gilleard’s lab at the University of Calgary to work on cattle lice. This experience sparked my passion for molecular parasitology and diagnostics, defining the direction of my future career.
What focus have you chosen for your residency? Where will your research efforts be targeted?
For my residency, I have chosen to focus on developing novel molecular diagnostic tools for the detection of cattle lice using skin swabs. Cattle lice infestations are a persistent challenge in North America, leading to significant economic losses and animal welfare concerns. My research aims to establish a rapid, reliable, and non-invasive diagnostic approach that can enable early detection and support timely, targeted control strategies. I believe the use of molecular diagnostics applied to skin swabs has a wide variety of applications in ectoparasite diagnostics in veterinary medicine. Ultimately, I hope this work will help improve parasite management and contribute to more sustainable livestock production practices.
What is your plan after your residency? What would you like to accomplish over the course of your career?
After completing my residency, I plan to become a board-certified veterinary parasitologist through the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists. I aspire to continue working in academia, where I can combine my expertise in parasitology, molecular diagnostics, and bioinformatics to advance the understanding, diagnosis, and control of parasitic infections. Ultimately, my goal is to improve parasite management and animal health through impactful research, teaching, and collaboration.
I was born and raised in Pakistan, where I received my early education in my hometown. I spent most of my free time playing video games and enjoying outdoor activities with friends. Growing up, I developed a strong passion for animals and science, which led me to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. My curiosity about research and love for exploring new places eventually brought me to Canada, where I am currently pursuing my PhD at the University of Calgary.
How did you initially become interested in veterinary medicine?
My interest in veterinary medicine began with a deep love for animals and curiosity about their health and diseases. During my intermediate studies, I chose biology as my main subject, which strengthened my fascination with how living organisms function and how diseases affect them. This passion continued to grow over time and eventually inspired me to pursue admission to one of the top-ranked veterinary universities in Pakistan. As I progressed through my degree, I became increasingly captivated by the science behind animal health and the vital role veterinarians play in improving animal welfare and public health.
How did you become interested in parasitology? When did you know it would be your field?
My interest in parasitology began during my DVM studies, where I was fascinated by how parasites interact with their hosts and the impact, they have on animal health and productivity. This curiosity deepened during my MPhil, where I expanded my understanding of parasitic diseases and their epidemiology. The turning point came when I had the opportunity to join Dr. John Gilleard’s lab at the University of Calgary to work on cattle lice. This experience sparked my passion for molecular parasitology and diagnostics, defining the direction of my future career.
What focus have you chosen for your residency? Where will your research efforts be targeted?
For my residency, I have chosen to focus on developing novel molecular diagnostic tools for the detection of cattle lice using skin swabs. Cattle lice infestations are a persistent challenge in North America, leading to significant economic losses and animal welfare concerns. My research aims to establish a rapid, reliable, and non-invasive diagnostic approach that can enable early detection and support timely, targeted control strategies. I believe the use of molecular diagnostics applied to skin swabs has a wide variety of applications in ectoparasite diagnostics in veterinary medicine. Ultimately, I hope this work will help improve parasite management and contribute to more sustainable livestock production practices.
What is your plan after your residency? What would you like to accomplish over the course of your career?
After completing my residency, I plan to become a board-certified veterinary parasitologist through the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists. I aspire to continue working in academia, where I can combine my expertise in parasitology, molecular diagnostics, and bioinformatics to advance the understanding, diagnosis, and control of parasitic infections. Ultimately, my goal is to improve parasite management and animal health through impactful research, teaching, and collaboration.