I really hope she survives to appear in Season 3 and we could learn a bit more about her. There's definitely a story there worth telling.
Its possible they knew each other, but barzan never joined. TNG suggested the wormhole was the only valuable resource they had.
https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Barzan They mention the species was not warp capable but advanced in other ways. They might have sent out transmissions and caught attention, the Federation may have had to step in early to keep them safe. Much like Saru one of the managed to join Starfleet but keeping the rest of their race unaware. The fact the Federation steps in so fast in TNG with the Barzan not being that surprised by humans implies they had some prior dealings.
Starfleet has a single Kelpian (so far), and they definitely haven't joined the Federation. Maybe Nhan was "rescued from a Klingon attack". Or some other story that's a complete nhan sequitur.
3 is Prime. Be prepared for a 5 part comic series and two tie in novels all uncovering such scintillating secrets that nhan can resist.
Let's not anybody hurt ourselves overthinking the situation. Then we might get a Nhany Nhany boo-boo.
And if you don't like the place, then, well, there's a certain well-dressed gentleman who could surely ask his associates to help you with your problem. I've heard he's frequenting a space station in the Epsilon Eridani system. Morden: "I believe that this... little demonstration will bring you some very interesting propositions." Londo: "Yes... but what happens if I'm asked for another of these... little demonstrations?" Morden: "Then we'll provide it. Simply choose your target - a colony, an outpost..." Londo: *sarcastic laugh* "Why don't you eliminate the entire Nhan homeworld while you're at it?" Morden: "One thing at a time, ambassador. One thing at a time."
She could try being useful, for once. She's done absolutely nothing since the first episode, spied on Airiam, sensed something was up, didn't say or do anything, then rendered useles seconds into the fight. I know the show is absolutely obsessed with casting women in as many roles as humanly possible (it was no surprise the vast majority of the Enterprise bridge was female) but maybe instead of ridiculing men (Connolly, Leland, Georgiou's "tiny male brains" line), they could actually cast a strong male character in the role to provide a bit of diversity. Or you know, instead of constantly showing Airiam, Owo and Detmer, actually DEVELOP the two guys on the bridge for once? Or does that contradict their pathetic, sexist #thefutureisfemale hashtag.
Starfleet recruitment in the Discoverse appears to just be Georgiou pulling over and telling people to hop in. So I'd guess that is how it happened.
Like the Captain of the ship you mean? Or the visiting science officer from the Enterprise of some repute, Smock? Frock? Something. how was Leland 'ridiculed'?
Airiam got zero development until the episode where she died, and specifically for the purpose of making that death matter. Owo's development has consisted of going on a landing party, once. Detmer has gotten some scattered development about friendship and dealing with injury and cybernetic implants, but not much. Meanwhile, Pike and Spock have come in and gotten more development than all the male and female peripheral characters combined, so spare us the "woe is me" downtrodden male routine. The show isn't exactly great on developing its secondary characters. Georgiou ridicules everyone. She's the Empress of Snark. I don't know what you're talking about with Leland. Before he got assimilated he was actually a pretty compelling and nuanced character as far as Section 31 agents go, and I actually found him kind of interesting and regretted his death. Nhan gets points for suspecting something was up with Airiam and taking steps to at least stay with her in case something went wrong. She probably noticed because she had a dispassionate view of Airiam, unlike her friends, and therefore didn't give her the benefit of the doubt for her strange behavior. But as an outsider to the crew she couldn't just make an accusation without evidence despite her suspicions, hence going on the away mission. I'd say that makes her brighter than most. And yeah, she got her ass kicked by a possessed cyborg, so what?