Associate Professor ChM. Dr. Noraini Ahmad is a certified chemist recognized under the Malaysian Chemist Act 1975. She currently serves as an Associate Professor at the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya. Her academic journey began with a BSc (Hons) in Applied Chemistry from Universiti Malaya in 2003, followed by a MSc in Colloid and Surface Chemistry in 2008, and a PhD in Physical Chemistry in 2012 from the same institution.

During her doctoral studies, Dr. Noraini completed a prestigious research attachment at the Instituto de Química Avanzada de Cataluña - Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IQAC-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain (2010–2012), supported by the InForm Project under the EU-FP7 programme and Malaysia’s 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, Russia.

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

Dr. Noraini currently holds several key administrative roles at Universiti Malaya, including:

1. Director, Universiti Malaya Community Engagement Centre (UMCares)

2. Coordinator, Formulation and Product Development Unit, Centre for Natural Products Research and Drug Discovery (CENAR)

3. STEM Representative, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya STEM Centre

She has also served in leadership and academic roles such as Deputy Director and Fellow of UMCares, Programme Coordinator for BSc (Chemistry), MQF Coordinator, and Head of Section (Physical Chemistry) from 2019 to 2024.

Internationally, Dr. Noraini has been honored as a Visiting Professor at several universities and frequently invited as a keynote and plenary speaker at international conferences.

Her areas of expertise include Physical Chemistry particularly colloid chemistry, surfactants, self-assembly, liquid crystals, chemical kinetics, and green chemistry as well as Nanomaterials Formulation and Drug Delivery Systems.

Her research primarily focuses on the development of nanocarrier systems using lipids and surfactants for applications in pharmaceuticals, medical therapeutics, cosmeceuticals, and nutraceuticals. She has secured over MYR 12 million in research funding as Principal Investigator and Co-Investigator, demonstrating her active involvement and commitment to scientific research.

Beyond teaching and research, Dr. Noraini is deeply engaged in university service and national development through various academic committees, research evaluations, and community programmes. She has received numerous awards and recognitions at both national and international levels for her outstanding contributions to science and education.