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
Tori Sampsell's career has taken her down different paths, to different states, and across industries.
After a successful stint in human resource management and a final relocation, Sampsell decided to reignite the interest she had in biology as an undergraduate. Sampsell enrolled in an intensive biotechnology laboratory program. Her new skills helped her find employment with a local biotechnology start-up company, Lucigen. Though working at the bench, Sampsell applied her broad, varied background to the multiple needs of a small company.
These experiences led Sampsell to look into graduate programs. She quickly found the Master of Science in Biotechnology Program at UW-Madison a perfect fit to her varied background.
"Prior to the program, I had limited exposure to cutting edge molecular biology. I learned a lot about new advances in molecular science, manufacturing, and techniques in drug discovery."
The degree led Sampsell to WiCell, the non-profit stem cell organization affiliated with UW-Madison. In her new position at the bench, she worked directly with James Thomson and Ren-He Xu, leaders in the field of embryonic stem cell research. Sampsell employed her M.S. in Biotechnology degree at the forefront of one of biotechnology's most promising new fields.
"My work focused on unraveling the mystery of stem cells. What is the cellular signaling pathway that allows them to remain pluripotent or differentiate into other cell types? What is stemness? These are all questions that can help us understand human development and human disease and also aid other researchers who are working with adult and embryonic stem cells in regenerative medicine."
The program allowed Sampsell to not only work at the bench, but translate and communicate the potential of stem cell research to new audiences.
"The scientific communication portion of the program has been invaluable to me. Exposure to great guest speakers was riveting. And of course, studying the genesis of the political debate surrounding stem cells allowed me to comprehend the situation on an entirely different level."
Sampsell’s commitment to professional growth continues to lead to new career opportunities. She recently was hired as the Vice President of Product Management at CultureTrax, a Cellera company, an early-stage Madison, Wisconsin company developing workflow solutions to address critical issues limiting stem cell research.
"The program fused science, business and policy together for me. It helped me enter a field with limitless potential, equipped with the skills necessary to succeed. I am confident in my abilities to translate innovation and discovery into quality of life."
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.
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