Professor Dr. Norlaila Mustafa graduated from National University of Malaysia (UKM), with a degree in medicine followed by Master in Internal Medicine, also from UKM. She underwent endocrinology training until 2004, and then pursued her study in the field of diabetes and was conferred a doctorate of Medicine, MD for her research on insulin resistance and beta cell function at the Diabetes Research Unit, Llandough Hospital, Cardiff University. 
She came back and joined the Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine as a lecturer, and three years later, was awarded as an honorary lecturer by Cardiff University from 2009 until 2015. Her passion is to educate people on managing diabetes and obesity. She serves as advisor for Diabetes Nurse Educator Course, HCTM since 2007 and advisor for Malaysian Diabetes Educator Society (MDES) since 2021 and Board of Trustee for National Diabetes Institute (NADI). She has been awarded several research grants and collaboration with the industries. 
Her research interest focuses on diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. She currently serves as the Professor of Medicine and Consultant Endocrinologist at Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz, UKM Medical Centre, and Visiting Endocrinologist at the National heart Institute (IJN).