Ali studied Medicine at the University of Sydney, followed by an intern year at Mona Vale and Hornsby hospitals. She had several years away from the healthcare setting, before returning to support senior medical staff and physician trainees at HammondCare within the Centre for Learning & Research in Palliative Care. She is currently studying a Masters of Public Health through the University of Sydney, with particular interests in the social determinants of health, health equity, and health advocacy in areas such as climate change and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. Ali is a committed advocate for evidence-based medicine, problem-based learning and the importance of life-long learning.