Master of Science (M.S.) in Bacteriology Program

The primary goals of the Master of Science degree in Bacteriology are to develop students’ understanding of the scientific process and to provide advanced training in bacteriology. Students tailor a curriculum of advanced coursework and/or research, following either a coursework track or a research track. Students acquire a general overview of bacteriology and may focus on a specialized subject area such as bacterial physiology, molecular microbiology, food microbiology, environmental microbiology, biotechnology or medical microbiology.

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Bacteriology MS Student Experience – Summer 2024

Anna Ardito is participating in a summer internship with Merz Pharmaceuticals in Germany. She is working on neurotoxin analytics and formulation development. Her work this summer is related to her work in the Pellett lab-working with Clostridium botulinum and the botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT).

Elias Kemna is working as a researcher at the University of Minnesota in Dr. Jannell Bazurto’s Lab. His project is developing a Bacterial-2-Hybrid genomic library in model methylotroph Methylorubrum extorquens in order to study in vivo protein-protein interactions for this organism.

Andrew Wilcox is currently working in the Anantharaman lab at UW-Madison. His project involves bioinformatics work relating to sulfur oxidation gene/protein system. He is also helping to extract metagenomes for his lab mate.

Tayla Brown is a coursework track student. She is currently studying for the DAT (Dental Admission Test) while working full time at Thermo Fisher in the Raw Materials department.

Jinoh Jang is working in the Cavagnero Lab at UW-Madison. He is working on optimization of bacterial ribosome for pharmaceuticals and for understanding the biophysics of the early stages of protein folding. He is currently working on recombineering in E.coli to optimize the structure of the ribosome and extraction of the ribosomes to perform a cell-free protein synthesis. He traveled to a conference in Massachusetts on protein folding in the cell where he was able learn different bacterial protein folding mechanisms.

Max Garcia is working with Dr. Daniel Noguera. His main project is related to the genetic engineering of novosphingobium aromaticivorans and the consumption of acetovanillone.

News and Events

Congratulations to Bacteriology MS Trainer Laura Knoll on receiving a Kellett Mid-Career Award!
Eleven faculty have been honored with Kellett Mid-Career Awards to support those promoted to tenured positions seven to 20 years ago and who have made key research contributions in their fields. The award, named for …
Congratulations to Bacteriology MS Student Julia Kettner who received a two year graduate student assistantship through the Dairy Innovation Hub initiative.
The University of Wisconsin–Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) recently awarded six, two-year graduate student assistantships to help increase dairy-related research capacity through the Dairy Innovation Hub initiative. The selected graduate students are …
Congratulations to Dr. Jean-Michel Ané on being named to a Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professorship
Sixteen professors were named to Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professorships, an award recognizing distinguished scholarship as well as standout efforts in teaching and service.

Student Highlights

Jinoh Jang

Jin is a second year Bacteriology Master's student on the Research Track from Busan, South Korea. In Dr. Silvia Cavagnero's lab, he studies protein aggregate in bacteria by structurally modifying the ribosomal exit tunnel in Escherichia coli to understand kinetics of nascent chain release from the ribosome. He is particularly interested in studying bacterial genetics and protein aggregate because of their wide implications in medicine and in biopharmaceuticals. Outside the lab, he enjoys playing the clarinet with his friends and listening to music at Overture Center.

Anna Ardito

Anna is a second year research track Bacteriology Master’s student. She works in the Pellett Lab where she studies Clostridium botulinum and botulinum neurotoxins. When not in the lab, you can find her rowing on Lake Mendota as a part of the women's rowing team. She also enjoys hiking, traveling, and finding new coffee shops and restaurants in the Madison area.

Julia Kettner

Julia is a first year Bacteriology Master's student. She is on the research track and works in the Coon lab to investigate the influence of organic and non-organic mastitis treatment practices on the tendency for muscid flies to carry pathogenic bacteria on dairy farms and the distribution of antimicrobial resistance in flies. When not in the lab, she likes to explore different coffee shops and play with her family dogs.

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The University of Wisconsin–Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background — people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.