Learn about the program's unique curriculum, world-class faculty and convenient schedule. In just two years, you can earn your degree while still working full-time.
Richard Moss, Ph.D.
Senior Associate Dean for Basic Research, Biotechnology and Graduate Studies
Executive Director and Co-founder, M.S. in Biotechnology Program
Professor
Kurt Zimmerman, M.S.
Director, Industry Engagement, SMPH
Director, Master of Science in Biotechnology Program
Natalie Betz, Ph.D.
Associate Director and Faculty Instructor, Master of Science in Biotechnology Program
Bryan Husk, M.A.
Assistant Director, Master of Science in Biotechnology Program
Michele Smith, MS SCT(ASCP)
Program Manager, Master of Science in Biotechnology Program
The Master of Science of Biotechnology Program brings together the expertise of the University of Wisconsin's world-class faculty, and the applied experience of the region's most successful biotechnology leaders from private industry.
Natalie Betz, Ph.D.
Associate Director and Faculty Instructor
Master of Science in Biotechnology
Karin Borgh, Ph.D.
Executive Director of BTCI
BioPharmaceutical Technology Center Institute
Tom Burke, Ph.D.
Director of Genome Engineering
Cellular Dynamics International Inc.
Russ Coff, Ph.D.
Associate Dean of Research,
Professor, Management & Human Resources
Wisconsin School of Business
Abigail Davis
Senior Quality Assurance Manager
Promega Corporation
Hansi Dean, Ph.D.
Vice President and Head, Discovery Research
Takeda Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.
Ed Elder, Ph.D., R.Ph.
Director, Zeeh Pharmaceutical Experiment Station
UW-Madison, School of Pharmacy
Michael Falk, J.D., M.B.A.
General Counsel
Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
Scott Fulton, M.S.
Founder and CEO
Cellera, LLC
Fabio Gaertner, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Accounting & Information Systems
Wisconsin School of Business
Martin Ganco, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Management & Human Resources
Wisconsin School of Business
Heather Gerard, M.S.
Intellectual Property Manager
Promega Corporation
Jennifer Gottwald, Ph.D.
Licensing Manager
Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
Derek Hei, Ph.D.
Director, Waisman Biomanufacturing
Cellular Dynamics International Inc.
Susan LaBelle, M.B.A.
Managing Director
Office of Corporate Relations
Dave Lewis, Ph.D.
Chief Scientific Officer (former)
Arrowhead Research
Thomas Machleidt, Ph.D.
Senior Research Scientist
Promega Corporation
Terri McDonnell, M.B.A.
Senior Program Manager
Promega Corporation
Eugene McNally, Ph.D.
Executive Director, Product Development and Manufacturing
Pharmaceutical Product Development, Inc. (PPD)
Pilar Ossorio, Ph.D., J.D.
Professor of Law and Bioethics
University of Wisconsin Law School
Hart Posen, Ph.D., M.B.A.
Associate Professor, Management & Human Resources
Wisconsin School of Business
Marla Rybowiak
Director of Operations
The Employer Group
Jay Schiestle, M.B.A.
Vice President, Operations and Diagnostics
Lucigen Corp.
Richard Schifreen, Ph.D.
Accelerator Program Manager
Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
Chris Sebranek
Director Of Quality Assurance
LSNE Contract Manufacturing
Ben Seffrood M.B.A., M.S.
Head of Finance
Roche NimbleGen
Laura Strong, Ph.D.
President and COO
Quintessence Biosciences
Charlie Trevor, Ph.D.
Professor, Management & Human Resources
Wisconsin School of Business
Cheryl Vickroy, M.B.A.
Director
Center for Technology Commercialization
Eric B. Vincent, Ph.D.
Global Product Manager
Promega Corporation
Mary Wang, M.A.
ESL Instructor
English as a Second Language, English Department
Mary Westrick, Ph.D.
Vice President, US Phase I (retired)
Quintiles
Scott WildmanPh.D.
Computational Chemist
UW Carbone Cancer Center
The M.S. in Biotechnology program has over 300 alumni since its first graduates in 2004.
Each year the value of the alumni network strengthens as more students graduate and grow their careers.
Alumni by Graduating Class:
Discover more Alumni Success Stories
Michael Matter gained technical skills through various entry level positions as a bench scientist. Despite several step-wise promotions, his responsibilities remained largely unchanged. Matter knew he wanted to accelerate his career growth and have a larger impact within his organization, so he decided to search for a Master's program that would offer a wide range of business skills, while complementing the technical experience he possessed. Although he researched traditional MS and MBA programs, he felt both types of programs would fall short of his needs, lacking the business focus or application to the biotechnology industry that he desired.
Putting new skills to use.
When Michael discovered the Master of Science in Biotechnology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he knew that he had found a great program. The curriculum blended business, science, and regulation in a manner that was directly related to where Matter was professionally, and tailored to where he wanted to be in the near future.
"I knew that this program would provide me with the skills required to advance my career and allow me to shape my future into what I wanted it to be."
Matter was able to work full-time while attending classes and, as a result, he put the skills he learned directly into practice and saw his career accelerate unlike anything he had experienced before. Michael was able to help facilitate an operational process transfer from his Wisconsin-based company to their new California site using the project management skills he acquired through the program. Additionally, the regulatory content of the program enriched his understanding of the impact of Quality Systems and the level of detail needed to complete validation and verification of processes and equipment required for the transfer.
New challenges and a path for growth.
Halfway through the program, Michael was offered a position with Exact Sciences in Madison working in product development and product support. Matter has found that the skills acquired through the program have prepared him for this position, which requires a high level of communication, technical understanding, regulatory competence, and business etiquette.
"The MS Biotech program gave me the confidence to succeed."
A successful career transition.
Michael is passionate about molecular diagnostics and his position at Exact Sciences offers an exciting opportunity to stay in the Midwest and work for a growing company that is dedicated to the early detection of cancer. His new role requires a high degree of technical analysis and cross-functional communication, presenting new challenges and opportunities to grow on a daily basis. Michael feels prepared to take on these challenges and confident in his ability to succeed in his current position and future endeavors due to the multi-disciplinary education offered through the University of Wisconsin's M.S. in Biotechnology Program.
Master of Science in Biotechnology Program
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Established in 2002, the Master of Science in Biotechnology at UW-Madison is a two-year cross-disciplinary program for scientists, technical professionals, business strategists and attorneys seeking to advance their career in the biotechnology field without having to put their career on hold. The hands-on curriculum focuses on the development and commercialization of new technologies and provides a diverse mix of science, business, bioethics, public policy, law and intellectual property. Students are instructed by some of the best academics, professionals and lawyers in the biotechnology field. Currently there are over 300 alumni continuously advancing their careers with their M.S. in Biotechnology degree.
Prospective Students
Biotech at UW-Madison©2019 Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System
School of Medicine and Public Health
University of Wisconsin – Madison