His MBBS was from the University of Sydney. Following his FRACP, specialising in nephrology, his MSc was in pharmacology obtained from the University of London, and two doctorates from the University of Sydney; a PhD in the mechanisms of progression of chronic renal failure and an MD examining transplant graft dysfunction.

Dr Nankivell is currently a practising nephrologist and transplant clinician working at Westmead Hospital and the National Pancreas Transplant Unit, Sydney. His research interests involve transplant renal function, the structural functional relationships of failing allografts and the histology of chronic allograft injury, and the interactions of therapy, rejection and nephrotoxicity.