Department of Health Sciences -CUSIT

Dr. Shah Nawaz Khan is a pharmaceutical chemist and researcher specializing in synthetic organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and photocatalysis. He earned his Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, where his doctoral research focused on photocatalytic decarboxylative C–O, C–C, and C–N functionalization of carboxylic acids for sustainable organic synthesis and medicinal applications.

Currently, he is engaged in advanced research on the total synthesis and derivatization of medicinally relevant natural products, including strigolactam analogues, nucleoside antibiotics, and shikonin/alkannin derivatives with anticancer and antimicrobial potential. His research integrates modern synthetic methodologies, photoredox catalysis, transition-metal catalysis, and chemical biology approaches for drug discovery and molecular probe development.

Dr. Khan has published research in internationally recognized journals including Nature Communications, Journal of Organic Chemistry, Synlett, and Tetrahedron Letters. His work emphasizes green chemistry, late-stage functionalization, and biologically active small molecules for pharmaceutical innovation.

In addition to research, he has academic and administrative experience in pharmacy education and curriculum development in Pakistan. His scientific contributions and international collaborations position him as an emerging researcher in medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry.