Zizi Ali (Ph.D)
Affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, PO Box 84428, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia
University/ Institution: Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University,
Department: Rehabilitation Sciences
Designation: Professor of physical therapy
Email: zmibrahim@pnu.edu.sa
Country: Saudi Arabia
Dr. Zizi Mohammed Ibrahim Ali
Professor of Physical Therapy
College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Dr. Zizi Mohammed Ibrahim Ali is an accomplished academic, researcher, and academic leader in the field of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, with extensive experience in higher education, clinical research, postgraduate supervision, and quality enhancement. She currently serves as a Professor of Physical Therapy at the College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (PNU), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. She has been a faculty member at PNU since 2014, progressing from Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy (2014–2017) to Associate Professor (2017–Present). In addition to her academic responsibilities, she has contributed significantly to institutional development through leadership roles, including Director of the Key Performance Indicator Unit (2015–Present), Director of the Occupational Therapy Program (2014–2018), and Internal Reviewer at the Deanship of Quality at PNU.
Dr. Ali also holds the position of Professor of Physical Therapy at Cairo University, Egypt. Her academic career at Cairo University spans more than two decades, during which she has served as Assistant Professor (2010–2015), Associate Professor (2015–Present), and Professor of Physical Therapy (2021–Present). She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy (1995–1999), Master of Science in Physical Therapy (Surgery) (2004–2006), and Doctorate in Physical Therapy for Surgery (2006–2010) from Cairo University.
Dr. Ali’s academic and research career is characterized by a strong commitment to evidence-based rehabilitation and improving healthcare outcomes through innovative physical therapy interventions. Her research interests include rehabilitation following surgery, burns and plastic surgery rehabilitation, wound healing, musculoskeletal disorders, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, neurological rehabilitation, women’s health, therapeutic exercise, electrotherapy, laser therapy, and functional assessment. Her research focuses on translating scientific evidence into effective clinical applications that enhance patient recovery, independence, and quality of life.
She has developed a substantial research portfolio involving clinical trials and experimental studies investigating rehabilitation interventions across diverse patient populations. Her scholarly work includes investigations of gait analysis, balance assessment, osteoarthritis rehabilitation, respiratory rehabilitation, metabolic health, burn rehabilitation, wound management, pain management, and functional recovery. Recent publications include research on a novel mathematical approach to gait analysis using the ZAY Angle for step length estimation, hand grip and pinch strength assessment in children with autism spectrum disorders, balance assessment in knee osteoarthritis patients, exercise interventions for older adults with chronic diseases, trunk muscle function following bariatric surgery, and quality of life among physical therapists.
Dr. Ali has published extensively in peer-reviewed international journals and contributed to evidence-based rehabilitation research through randomized controlled trials and clinical investigations. Her publications have addressed a wide range of clinical conditions, including burns, chronic wounds, glaucoma, postoperative complications, dermatological disorders, musculoskeletal dysfunctions, respiratory impairment, and neurological conditions. Her research has examined the effectiveness of interventions such as therapeutic exercise, respiratory muscle training, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, low-level laser therapy, polarized light therapy, ultrasound therapy, and other physical therapy modalities.
In addition to her research contributions, Dr. Ali has demonstrated outstanding commitment to postgraduate education and research mentorship. She has supervised numerous doctoral and master’s theses addressing advanced rehabilitation topics, including chronic wound healing, pulmonary complications after surgery, laser therapy applications, shoulder dysfunction following mastectomy, balance rehabilitation, burn recovery, glaucoma-related rehabilitation, and therapeutic exercise interventions. Through postgraduate supervision, she has contributed to developing future researchers and advancing rehabilitation science.
Dr. Ali is a consultant physiotherapist registered with the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCHS). She is actively involved in professional organizations, including the General Physical Therapy Syndicate of Egypt and scientific societies related to disability, rehabilitation, and environmental health. Her professional development reflects continuous commitment to academic excellence, with advanced training in quality assurance, accreditation standards, strategic planning, educational leadership, research skills, teaching methodologies, and emerging technologies in education.
Throughout her career, Dr. Ali has combined academic excellence, research productivity, and educational leadership to contribute to the advancement of physical therapy education and rehabilitation practice. Her work reflects a dedication to innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the development of evidence-based approaches that improve patient care and strengthen the role of rehabilitation sciences in healthcare systems.