Tan is an inventive mechanical engineer, roboticist, and passionate diver with a lifelong passion for pushing the boundaries of human capabilities through technology and engineering. Born and raised amidst the vibrant marine landscapes of Thailand, he formed an early and lasting connection to the underwater world. His diving journey began through a unique experience at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center’s Advanced Space Academy, where he first dove in the Underwater Astronaut Trainer. This early connection between underwater and space exploration shaped his vision, revealing a profound connection to his inner explorer.

With a Master’s degree in Robotics, Tan has contributed to competition projects at the Georgia Tech Marine Robotics group, including leading the mechanical development of an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) for the RoboSub competition. His MS capstone project focused on designing a prototype of a bio-inspired, omnidirectional underwater soft robot that could adapt to and operate within fragile marine environments. 

As a 2024-2025 GUE NextGen Scholar, Tan is excited to connect with a global network of like-minded divers, explore diverse diving environments, and dive deep into the technologies behind pioneering projects worldwide. By blending engineering with his love for scuba diving, Tan aims to push the limits of underwater exploration and conservation, developing safer and more efficient solutions that bridge humanity with new frontiers while sharing this journey and inspiring divers around the globe.

During his scholarship year, Tan plans to revisit the GUE Fundamentals class and achieve a full pass. He aspires to expand his capabilities by diving in various environments, working toward Tech 1 and Cave 1 qualifications while taking courses such as photogrammetry, documentation, gas blender, and DPV1 to expand his capabilities to support GUE projects in the future.