Nazirah Hasnan was born and received her early education in Petaling Jaya Selangor, Malaysia. She completed her undergraduate (MBBS) and postgraduate training in rehabilitation medicine (MRehabMed) from the Universiti Malaya in 1993 and 2001 respectively. She then became a specialist and lecturer at her alma mater and completed a PhD in Rehabilitation (Spinal Cord Medicine), graduating in 2014 under the Universiti Malaya – University of Sydney Joint Doctorate (Co-tutelle) program. She has supervised more than 20 Masters and PhD students, and published over 80 scientific publications.

She stands as a luminary in the field of Rehabilitation Medicine, whose extensive career and academic achievements have significantly contributed to medical advancements, particularly in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation, Wound Management, Functional Electrical Stimulation, Exercise for Special Population and Assistive Technology. Her career, marked by dedication to both clinical practice and academic research, exemplifies the impactful intersection of medicine, technology, and education. Her leadership skills has driven the development of specialized rehabilitation services; stroke rehabilitation, spinal cord injury rehabilitation, diabetic foot care and wound management; and expansion of other services, CReATE@ PPUM being the latest.

Professor Nazirah's professional trajectory is marked by significant appointments, reflecting her leadership and expertise in rehabilitation medicine. She has been a Consultant Rehabilitation Physician at Pusat Perubatan Universiti Malaya (PPUM), Malaysia’s premier and leading academic medical centre since 2001 and has held various key positions, including Deputy Director (Medical) and, most notably, the Director of PPUM since November 2020 until today.

At the national academic and professional level, she is a member of the National Rehabilitation Medicine Conjoint Board, member of the Academy of Medicine, and member of the National Specialist Registry (NSR) Specialist Sub-Committee.  She is the immediate past President of Malaysian Association of Rehabilitation Physicians (MARP) and the President of Malaysian Chapter of the International Functional Electrical Stimulation Society. Professor Nazirah is an executive member of the Asian Spinal Cord Network (ASCoN), member of the Education Committee of the International Spinal Cord Society (ISCoS), previosuly the National leader for the International Spinal Cord Injury Survey, a Swiss Paraplegic Centre and World Health Organization project and member of the Capacity Building Committee of the International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine-World Health Organisation.

Outside academia, she has had extensive involvement and experience in project development, various networking with government and NGOs and has led many successful projects. Her dedication to community service is exemplified by her advisory roles in organizations supporting persons with disabilities (PWDs), such as the Malaysian Spinal Cord Injury Advocacy Association (MASAA), Diveheart Malaysia, OKU Sentral and previously Malaysian Spinal Injuries Association (MASIA) and Pet Positive. She has also been actively involved in initiatives promoting scuba diving for PWDs, showcasing her commitment to enhancing the quality of life for individuals through innovative and inclusive activities.

Professor Nazirah Hasnan's career journey is a testament to the profound impact that dedicated healthcare professionals can have on advancing medical education and practice, improving patient outcomes and return to meaningful roles in the community. Her contributions to rehabilitation medicine, her leadership in academic and hospital management, and her commitment to community engagement illustrates the qualities of a true medical pioneer. Through her work, she continues to inspire and lead, shaping the future of medicine in Malaysia and beyond.