Shahid Nawaz is a PhD student at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), working at the intersection of chemistry and the origins of life. His research lies within the field of prebiotic chemistry, with a particular focus on investigating the formation of sugars before life began. In addition to his current research at UNSW, Shahid has developed a strong interest in scientific literature and critical review writing, which has led to numerous publications in respected international journals.