Natalie Betz received her B.S. in Life Sciences from the University of Missouri – Rolla and her Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases at the University of Nebraska Medical Center campus in Omaha. She then completed post-doctoral fellowships in the Biology Department at Kansas State University and at McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research on the University of Wisconsin, Madison campus. All of her research focused on the molecular mechanisms of cancer.
She worked as a Senior Applications Scientist at Promega Corporation for 10 years before accepting a position with the University of Wisconsin Master’s in Biotechnology program. She has mentored, tutored, and taught many undergraduate and graduate students throughout her scientific career.
Currently she designs, coordinates, and instructs three laboratory courses for the MS in Biotechnology Program dealing with molecular biology, genetic manipulation and analysis, protein expression and purification, biomanufacturing, cell-based assays, and drug discovery. She also assists in teaching four other non-laboratory courses in the program, including serving as a mentor for students on their final research projects. As the Assistant Director of the MS in Biotechnology Program, other primary responsibilities include facilitating course integration and program curriculum development. She also participates in the design and instruction of adult courses offered by the BTC Institute, including Molecular Technologies for the Clinical Laboratory, Molecular Approaches to Neuroscience, Core Techniques in Protein and Genetic Engineering, Emerging Techniques in Protein and Genetic Engineering, and Real-Time PCR Technologies.
