Meet Ivy Nguyen – Manufacturing Technical Specialist, Formulation, at Argonaut
What’s a day in the life of a Manufacturing Technical Specialist in Formulation at Argonaut?
“No two days are ever the same,” says Ivy Nguyen. In her role as a Manufacturing Technical Specialist in Formulation Ivy wears many hats. Her day might include client meetings, process improvement projects, onboarding new equipment, writing reports, reviewing client protocols, or supporting activity on the manufacturing floor.
“It’s a blend of problem-solving, collaboration, and technical execution. Every project is different, which keeps things exciting.”
How does your work support Argonaut’s mission?
“I support clients and internal teams as required to ensure timely, high-quality product delivery. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that what we do here has a direct impact on people’s lives,” Ivy Nguyen explains. “Whether it’s helping a team scale a formulation or reducing cleaning time to improve product quality, everything is directed toward patient well-being.”
“Whether it’s helping a team scale a formulation or reducing cleaning time to improve product quality, everything is directed toward patient well-being.”
What do you wish clients knew before a tech transfer or scale-up?
This is where Ivy lights up. “I wish they knew that we have in-house expert teams who are flexible and willing to work through the challenges and find cost-effective solutions for their product. We could also suggest alternative approaches,” she says. “Therefore, the earlier they come to us, the faster we can get their product out in the market.”
One of the biggest issues she encounters is equipment compatibility, explaining: “Lab-scale equipment doesn’t always translate to cleanroom production. Heat emission, contamination risk, or even the type of materials used can pose problems. We often work with clients to find alternative equipment to meet cleanroom standards.”
What makes your role special to you?
“Every project is a challenge, and I love that. Being part of a team that problem-solves and learns together makes the work incredibly satisfying,” Ivy Nguyen shares. “When a product delivers successfully and we know patients are benefiting, it makes all the effort worth it.”
Can you share a team success story?
“We had a client whose process used to take almost two days. By changing the mixing method, we cut it down to nearly half a day. The client was thrilled. In another case, we handled a complex product that required a special instillation process with a closed system and stainless-steel tank thanks to a strong team collaboration.”
“I wish clients knew that we have in-house expert teams who are flexible and willing to work through the challenges and find cost-effective solutions for their product. We could also suggest alternative approaches,”
How do your personal interests shape your approach to work?
“I love cooking—especially desserts like coconut flan or mixed fruit cocktails. There are so many similarities between cooking and formulation: timing, precision, temperature control. It’s all about chemistry and process.”
That love for precision shows in her professional life. “Like in cooking, the smallest adjustment can make a big difference in process performance.”
What advice would you give to someone new to biotech?
“Be flexible, be patient, and never stop learning. It’s a fast-paced industry, and every challenge is a chance to grow,” Ivy Nguyen shares.
What excites you about Argonaut’s future?
“Argonaut is growing quickly, and I’m proud to be growing with it. Every new project is an opportunity to learn something new, support our clients, and make a difference.”
“We had a client whose process used to take almost two days. By changing the mixing method, we cut it down to nearly half a day.”
Argonaut is a leader in contract manufacturing services for life sciences, IVD and drug device combination products (DDCP) with over 100K square feet of manufacturing facilities and has produced more than 4.2M kits since 2016 with Ivy Nguyen’s involvement in many of these. No other life science, diagnostic, or drug product contract manufacturing organization (CMO) offers broader scale, more flexibility and faster speed to market with lower risk, and less capital expenditures.
Discover how Ivy Nguyen’s expertise can elevate your manufacturing processes—reach out to us today to learn more!
