Almutairi earned her PhD in Chemistry from the University of California, Riverside. This period was crucial for developing her research skills and establishing her expertise in chemistry, which would later inform her nanotechnology work.

Following her PhD, Almutairi pursued postdoctoral research at the University of California, Berkeley. This experience exposed her to a different research environment and broadened her knowledge in relevant fields, further refining her research focus.

Adah Almutairi joined the faculty at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) as an Assistant Professor. This marked the beginning of her independent research career and her establishment as a principal investigator leading her own lab.

Over the years, Almutairi progressed through the academic ranks at UCSD, eventually becoming a full Professor. During this time, she continued to make significant contributions to the field of nanomedicine, securing funding, publishing research, and mentoring students.