From Kuching, Sarawak, Shahnaz holds a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Resource and Management from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak and is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Tropical Biodiversity at Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation. Shahnaz’s current focus of study is on the association of wildlife in human livelihoods, its utilization, importance and wildlife’s roles in cultural belief systems of the indigenous communities in the tropical rainforests of Sarawak. Previous experience includes work on the Ethnozoology of Melanau communities near Rajang River, Sarawak.