Prof Shamsi's research is focussed on parasites, especially those causing diseases in humans and animals. She started her research career in 1993 as a Research Fellow in the Iranian Fisheries Research Institute (IFRI). In 2002, she received scholarships from the Australian government and University of Melbourne (IPRS and MIRS) to undertake a PhD in Veterinary Parasitology. After completion of her PhD, she worked as the Director and Senior Research Fellow in the Departments of Marine and Freshwater Health and Diseases (IFRI) in Iran, followed by a Post Doctoral at RMIT University, Melbourne. She joined CSU in January 2010.

During her studies, Assoc Prof Shamsi has discovered several new pathogenic species of parasites and strains causing emerging diseases in humans and animals in Australia and worldwide. This led to receiving prestigious awards including a Recognition Medal from the Indian Society for Parasitology (2014) for sustained academic efforts and contributions to advancing the field of research, and an award from the Australian Academy of Science for an International Visit to Japan (2011).