His research interests are in electronic transport in semiconductors, biomedical coherent domain and diffused-photon imaging, adaptive holography, non-destructive testing using opto-acoustic platforms, and in physics education. He has worked to include physics as a mandatory science course in K-12 at the 9th grade level in mid-Missouri and elsewhere in the state. Over 40 percent of Missouri 9th graders now take physics in their school due to Dr. Balasubramanian's efforts and the efforts of similar Physics First initiatives. The Army Research Laboratory, the National Science Foundation, the National Institute of Health, NASA, and USDA have funded his work. He is the recipient of the 2011 Governor's Award for Excellence in Education, and is Past-President of the Missouri Association of Physics Teachers.