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
Tanesha Norris's career had hit the ceiling and there were no more opportunities for her skill level as a Scientist II and interim program manager. She had experience leading a cross-functional team and managing customer compounds and custom assays, but was interested in learning more about the commercialization of new products and developing her personal knowledge of project management and the business side of the biotechnology industry.
Beyond the role of bench scientist.
Tanesha felt that obtaining a Master of Science in Biotechnology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison would provide her with the tools necessary to continue her career development. She also hoped this endeavor would serve as a stepping stone so that eventually she could help guide others in their science careers by teaching at the collegiate level.
"I wanted to reach my full potential and take control of the direction my career was heading in."
Tanesha has put the majority of the knowledge she gained through the program to practice in her career. For example, the information that she learned through the project management and manufacturing courses has been invaluable to helping her select the correct team resources, budget for manufacturing and plan quality testing experiments. Tanesha has used the information and skills she acquired throughout the M.S. in Biotechnology program to see the big picture when a project is presented to her and better analyze the critical path to a commercial launch.
Growth leading to rapid advancement.
Tanesha was promoted to project manager by her employer upon graduation from the M.S. in Biotech program. After serving in that position for less than a year, she decided to apply for a more challenging role that had more of a business focus. During the interview, Tanesha was asked very pointed questions pertaining to the commercialization of new products and managing teams. She was also asked to create a presentation on managing without authority, which she remembered discussing in one of the M.S. in Biotechnology courses. This experience equipped Tanesha with the confidence to answer the questions easily and earned her praise from the interview team for her ideas about management.
"I would never have dreamed of doing what I am now without the confidence I built while completing the program."
From Wisconsinite to global biotechnology strategist.
Ultimately, Tanesha was offered the job, which she accepted along with a $30,000 annual pay raise from her previous role. Tanesha is currently a Project Manager for Roche NimbleGen, where she has been traveling in connection to many exciting projects. One recent project led her to Cape Town, South Africa where she assisted with the integration of a research company that Roche acquired. The knowledge and leadership skills Tanesha developed during the Master of Science in Biotechnology program enable her to understand the broader strategic needs of her employers when making decisions and guide diverse functional teams throughout her company.
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