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.

Hesham Al-Mekhlafi has a PhD in public health (2008), master’s degrees in medical science (parasitology) (2004) and in applied statistics (2012) as well as a bachelor’s degree in medical laboratories (1997). Since early 2000s, he has been actively engaged in research on the molecular epidemiology and prevention of infectious diseases including malaria, neglected tropical diseases, NTDs (such as soil-transmitted helminthiasis, schistosomiasis, leishmaniasis and dengue fever), and waterborne parasites. He joined the department of parasitology, University of Malaya (a regional leading dept. in parasitology research) for seven years (2009–2016) as a senior lecturer and promoted to associate professor. In 2016, he joined Jazan University, Saudi Arabia and promoted to full professor in 2022. He re-joined Universiti Malaya in 2023. He has taught several courses in parasitology, epidemiology, biostatistics, and research methodology at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. He has established passionate research teams that involved diligent postgraduate students, enthusiastic colleagues, and inspiring national and international collaborators. The research dedicated to helping vulnerable rural and aboriginal communities in Malaysia and other countries including Yemen, Nigeria and Libya against the NTDs, malaria and other infectious diseases. He has published more than 150 articles in high-impact ISI & Scopus indexed journals; with h-index of 41 (WoS). Hesham has been a member of several academic, scientific and administrative councils and committees. He also enjoys reviewing scientific manuscripts, research proposals, plans and strategies, theses and reports, etc. He is a member of the editorial boards of several renowned journals, and a regular reviewer for many peer-reviewed journals as well as a panel member of assessors for various national and international research grant schemes and postgraduate programs.

Associate Professor Dr Ashril Yusof holds a Bachelor of Science and Medical degree from St Andrews University in Scotland, which he completed in 1992. He further pursued his academic journey by obtaining a Masters in Sport and Exercise Science (Health Science) from the University of Essex in England in 1997. In 2006, he successfully completed his PhD in Sports Science, specializing in Biochemistry and Physiology, at the University of Essex. His doctoral research focused on investigating exercise-induced oxidative stress in erythrocytes. Currently, Dr Ashril Yusof serves as a senior member of the academic staff at the Faculty of Sports and Exercise Science at Universiti Malaya. He brings with him extensive experience and knowledge gained during his tenure as a member of the National Sports Medicine Institute in the United Kingdom from 1996 to 2006. Additionally, he actively participates as a member of the Malaysian Association of Sports Medicine (life member) and the Malaysian Strength and Conditioning Association (since 2016). He is also an associate chief editor for Frontiers in Physiology. Dr Ashril’s research interests span a wide range of areas within exercise and sport science, as well as clinical studies. His primary focus lies in exploring metabolic changes and biochemical events occurring during severe endurance exercise. Specifically, he examines the regulation of circulatory oxidative enzymes and the senescence of erythrocytes during prolonged exercise. His research also delves into the potential manipulation of protective effects through the use of natural supplements and blood concentrates. Within his current research endeavours, Dr Ashril Yusof explores various topics, including the association between nutrition, appetite regulation, and neuromuscular fatigue. He also investigates skeletal muscle damage and healing, the impact of natural products on performance, as well as studies related to soccer or football. Moreover, he is actively involved in clinical studies concerning osteoarthritis and laser therapy, as well as obesity and postural abnormalities among school children. Dr Ashril Yusof's extensive academic background and diverse research interests position him as a valuable contributor to the fields of exercise and sport science, as well as clinical studies, furthering our understanding of human performance and health. Data Updated: Jan 1st, 2026 Publish or Perish h-index = 37 Publons/Clarivate h-index = 24, i10-index = 65 Total citations: 5322