Associate Professor ChM. Dr. Noraini Ahmad is a certified chemist registered under the Malaysian Chemist Act 1975 and currently serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya. She is also the Director of the Universiti Malaya Community Engagement Centre (UMCares), where she leads initiatives that bridge academia, industry, government, and communities through impactful knowledge transfer and social innovation programmes.

Dr. Noraini obtained her Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Applied Chemistry from Universiti Malaya in 2003, followed by a Master of Science in Colloid and Surface Chemistry in 2008, and a PhD in Physical Chemistry in 2012. During her doctoral studies, she undertook a prestigious research attachment at Instituto de Química Avanzada de Cataluña (IQAC-CSIC) from 2010 to 2012 under the InForm Project funded by the European Union’s FP7 Programme and the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education. In 2015, she was selected to represent Malaysia as a Nanobiotechnology Scientist at the Workshop of Scientists from Russia and ASEAN Countries on Nanobiotechnology in Vladivostok.

Her academic career began at the International Islamic University Malaysia, where she served as a lecturer at the Centre for Foundation Studies for more than three years. She joined Universiti Malaya in 2008 and was appointed as a Lecturer in 2012, promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2013, and subsequently to Associate Professor in 2021.

Throughout her career, Dr. Noraini has held numerous academic and leadership positions, including Coordinator of the Formulation and Product Development Unit at the Centre for Natural Products Research and Drug Discovery (CENAR), STEM Representative for the Faculty of Science under the Universiti Malaya STEM Centre, Deputy Director and Fellow of UMCares, Programme Coordinator for the Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) programme, MQF Coordinator, and Head of the Physical Chemistry Section. Her leadership has contributed significantly to advancing research excellence, academic quality assurance, STEM outreach, and community engagement initiatives.

Internationally, Dr. Noraini has been recognised as a Visiting Professor at several universities and is frequently invited as a keynote, plenary, and distinguished speaker at international conferences and scientific forums. She also serves as a research evaluator, reviewer, and advisor for various academic and innovation programmes at both national and international levels.

Her expertise lies in Physical Chemistry, particularly in Colloid Chemistry, Soft Matter, Green Chemistry, Nanomaterials Formulation, and Drug Delivery Systems. Her research focuses on the design and development of advanced nanocarrier systems based on lipids, surfactants, and natural plant-derived materials for applications in pharmaceuticals, medical therapeutics, cosmeceuticals, and nutraceuticals. Her work encompasses formulation science, self-assembled systems, nanoemulsions, niosomes, liposomes, liquid crystalline systems, and other innovative delivery platforms aimed at enhancing the efficacy, stability, and bioavailability of active compounds.

An active researcher and innovator, Dr. Noraini has successfully secured and managed more than MYR 12 million in research funding as Principal Investigator and Co-Investigator from government agencies, industry partners, and international collaborations. She has published extensively in high-impact journals, supervised numerous postgraduate students, and contributed to the development of intellectual property, technology transfer, and industry-linked innovations.

Beyond academia, Dr. Noraini is deeply committed to societal development through community engagement, STEM empowerment, capacity building, and sustainable development initiatives. Her outstanding contributions to science, education, research, and community service have earned her numerous awards and recognitions at both national and international levels, reflecting her dedication to advancing scientific knowledge while creating meaningful impact for society.