Born and raised in Singapore, Shanzhi has a strong interest in international security issues, in particular how nations and armed forces are adapting to meet the present and future challenges of non-conventional security threats, both globally and in the Asia-Pacific. He is also interested in the interplay of law and policy in the Asian-Pacific maritime arena, and broader issues of maritime security.

Shanzhi graduated magna cum laude from Tufts University with a B.A in History. While at Tufts, he participated in the 2012-2013 EPIIC “Global Health and Security” Colloquium. Needless to say, the themes and takeaways from that year prepared him somewhat in navigating the present-day COVID-19 reality.