Nazirah Mohd Khairi, Ph.D. joined the Meharry School of Applied Computational Sciences as assistant professor, biomedical data science in January 2025.
Dr. Khairi earned her Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering in 2023 and completed her postdoctoral training in 2024, both at Vanderbilt University. Her research focuses on medical image processing and analysis, with a particular emphasis on brain functional MRI and diffusion MRI. At Vanderbilt, she and her team developed advanced algorithms and methods to enhance imaging data processing and improve interpretations of medical imaging. They also worked on harmonization procedures to standardize imaging processes across different modalities and scanning sites. Dr. Khairi’s contributions are reflected in several peer-reviewed publications on biomedical imaging, analysis, and modeling.
Before her doctoral studies, Dr. Khairi was a research assistant at the Center of Product Design and Manufacturing at the University of Malaya, where she worked on wearable sensors, specifically Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU). She also gained industry experience as a test-hole resolution (or commonly known as failure analysis) engineer at Intel Technologies, contributing to the hardware bring-up for Intel’s mobile microchips, including Cedarview, Cloverview, and Penwell.
Dr. Khairi has extensive teaching experience, including serving as a teaching assistant during her doctoral program at Vanderbilt and as an adjunct faculty member at Tennessee State University, where she taught introductory programming. Additionally, she served as a teaching affiliate during her studies, leading programs for new teaching assistants and conducting projects related to higher education teaching practices.
Currently, Dr. Khairi’s research interests include brain image processing and analysis, as well as exploring related signals and data to advance understanding of human brain dynamics.
Outside of work, Dr. Khairi enjoys reading, walking, and volunteering as a technical assistant and eMentor to inspire students’ interest in STEM.