Nurulaini Abu Shamsi is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Science and Technology Studies. She received her BSc in Biotechnology and Health Science from the University of Adelaide, Australia, and her MSc in Science and Technology Studies from Universiti Malaya, Malaysia. Having a deep interest in media and health communication, Nurulaini pursued her PhD in Health Communication at the School of Population Health, The University of Auckland, New Zealand. Her thesis focuses on understanding the media's role in disseminating information about non-communicable diseases in Malaysia, a developing country.

Trained in both the natural and social sciences, Nurulaini recognizes the need and opportunities to bridge these two fields. To date, she has expanded her research in science communication and public engagement with science, actively participating in national and international research collaborations. She is currently part of the Trust in Science and Science-Related Populism (TISP) Project, a Many Lab Study that analyzes factors influencing trust in science and examines the prevalence and predictors of science-related populist attitudes across countries.

Nurulaini also serves as an expert panel member for the Development of the Issue Paper on Science Communication to Facilitate Agrifood Systems Transformation, organized by the International Science Council (ISC) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). She is a member of the Public Communication of Science and Technology (PCST) Network, a key international platform for science communication research.

At the national level, she plays a vital role in Malaysia’s science communication network, collaborating with the National Antarctic Research Centre (NARC), the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organisation – Regional Centre for Education in Science and Mathematics (SEAMEO-RECSAM), the Science Media Centre Malaysia, and the Malaysia Science Centres Collaborative Network (MySains).

Her supervision and teaching primarily focus on research in science communication, public engagement, and health communication. These include the analysis of media representation and audience reception of health and science issues, the role of social media in science and health communication, the training of scientists in science communication, and stakeholder engagement in sustainability issues.

Nurulaini previously served as the Coordinator of the Bachelor of Science in Science and Technology Studies (2019–2022) and the Coordinator of the Master of Science in Communication and Public Engagement (2021–2023), a new program introduced by the Department of Science and Technology Studies. She made significant contributions to the development of this program from its inception. Nurulaini aims to make Universiti Malaya a landmark institution for science communication research and activities in the region.