Our People.

Committee Members

Advisory Board

Dr. Tana Tan

Professor Peter McCabe
Melbourne, Australia
Founder & Chair
Tana Tan  is a mechanical and biomedical engineer working in the area of road and transport safety. He co-founded Turing Circle with the aim of bringing LGBTQIA+ science and engineering professionals together in a social setting as well as to enable LGBTQIA+ inclusivity and equality in science and engineering workplaces.

Dr. David Coomber

Sydney, Australia
Sydney Chapter Lead
David has a science background in molecular biology and immunology. He currently manages technical support teams for engineering research. He joined Turing Circle in 2017 and has become a very active volunteer who can often be seen at the monthly meet-ups welcoming returning and new members. He has also been actively involved in organising Turing Circle events and Mardi Gras entry.

Lara van Leeuwen

Sydney, Australia
Communications & Marketing Lead
Lara is a Chemical engineering PhD candidate at UNSW with interests in biomedical applications.  Her research topic is designing polymer nanocapsules for drug delivery to stem cells.  Lara also works at the Butterfly Foundation which supports individuals with eating disorders and volunteers at Lifeline as phone counsellor.  

As a gay and non-binary person Lara looks forward to social monthly conversations with fellow LGBTQIA+ engineers and scientists.  Lara has enjoyed assisting with Turing Circle’s marketing and Mardi Gras preparations and is excited to be part of a young and growing community that promotes accepting, friendly and professional networking opportunities

Andrew Greig

Sydney, Australia
Volunteer
Andrew is a self-described scientific dilettante - having degrees in biochemistry, exercise science, and biotechnology, and presently working with a team of data scientists at an AI and machine learning consultancy - but whose real passion lies in the possibilities of future humanity (read: science fiction fan). He believes in the importance of conveying the paradoxical magic of advances in technology and science, to the wider community.

Gary Kennedy

Sydney, Australia
2020 Mardi Gras Parade Coordinator
Turing Circle welcomes Gary Kennedy to the team.  Gary is heading up our Mardi Gras float this year, and comes with much experience having previously coordinated a number of floats including OutFM, Sydney Leather Pride, ABBA fan club and Sydney Harbour Bears.   

When Gary is not preparing for Mardi Gras's he is a respected food technology specialist and directors at Correct Training Systems and Correct Food Systems.  Gary has appeared on news programs including ABC Radio, Foxtel's Channel V and Channel 7's Today Tonight, advising on food technology and food safety issues.
McCabe is a geologist and the Head of the Australian School of Petroleum at the University of Adelaide. He co-founded Turing Circle with the aim of helping scientists and engineers thrive and find their ideal career path irrespective of gender or sexuality.  He believes mutual support can help us all succeed in life and follow our bliss.
Turing Circle​
​ Australia
​2017 - 2020