Science Across Borders with Lulu Nguyen – The Starlab Deep Dive #6 

Science Without Borders: Lulu Nguyen on Creativity, Curiosity, and Life in the Lab

In Episode 6 of The Starlab Deep Dive, we meet Lulu Nguyen, a Californian scientist now working as a Lab and Production Manager in Paris. Lulu's story blends creativity, exploration, and scientific problem-solving—and reminds us that a career in science doesn’t have to follow a straight path.

From working in a sterile cleanroom to printing heart-shaped micro patterns, Lulu shows how science and creativity go hand in hand.

A Face Hidden in a Crowd—And a Story Behind It

Lulu first connected with Starlab through our World Laboratory Day artwork. Her submission stood out—not because her face was visible, but because it wasn’t. Covered head-to-toe in cleanroom gear, only her eyes peeked out.

“Even my boyfriend couldn’t find me in the final artwork,” she laughs.

But for Lulu, taking part was about more than recognition. It was about showing the personality and passion behind the job—something she says isn’t always reflected in sterile lab spaces.

A Creative Job Disguised as a Technical One

As a Production Manager at 4D Cell, Lulu oversees the manufacturing of micro patterns—specialised lab consumables that mimic biological structures and help researchers study cells in new ways.

Her days are filled with quality checks, product testing, and troubleshooting. It’s fast-paced, technical, and constantly changing.

But for Lulu, creativity is central. She compares solving lab problems to solving puzzles—sometimes designing 3D-printed holders, sometimes rethinking the way cells interact with surfaces. Her creative mindset helps her get there.

“You don’t need to know all the answers. You just need to keep looking for new ways to find them.”

Science as a Global Language

Lulu’s journey into science took her from California to Paris. Drawn by a specialised master’s in biomedical engineering, she moved countries, learned a new language, and built a career far from home.

Now, she helps produce tools for labs around the world—from Stanford to Berlin. And when she sees an order going out to a university hospital or cancer research centre, she gets a jolt of pride.

“You just hope that something we’ve made will help someone find a breakthrough.”

Passion, Progress, and a Global Community

Throughout the episode, Lulu talks about the misconceptions people have about science. It's not just for the old or the antisocial. Her team is full of young, creative, collaborative people who enjoy both the lab and life outside it.

And when COVID-19 hit, she and her colleagues were on the frontlines—helping produce rapid PCR machines for fast testing across France.

Whether it’s manufacturing consumables or developing tools that reduce the need for animal testing, her work keeps circling back to the same theme: small efforts with a big purpose.

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“Just Take the Leap”

If Lulu has one message for future scientists, it’s this: don’t let fear or logistics hold you back. Whether it’s studying abroad or switching fields, sometimes the best opportunities come from stepping outside your comfort zone.

“I arrived in Paris with €20 in my bank account. But I knew the program was right. And it changed everything.”