Ashley Sanner, M.S. and Melissa Budde, M.S.

Bridging Science and Leadership: Making the Leap to People Management

Published August 2025

Transitioning from a bench scientist to a group leader is a pivotal moment in any scientist’s career. Melissa Budde, MS (Class of 2015), a scientist at PPD with over 15 years of experience, recently embraced this new role, taking on leadership responsibilities as an operations Group Leader. Despite initial reluctance to take on the responsibility of managing others, she realized leading teams of people was the natural path forward for her career.

Fortunately, Melissa’s journey through the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Master of Science in Biotechnology Program equipped her with the scientific expertise and leadership skills necessary for this transition.

In her new group leader role, Melissa reports to Senior Group Leader, Ashley Sanner, MS (Class of 2019), who is also an alumna of the biotechnology master’s program. Ashley’s primary responsibility as a Senior Group Leader is to manage a collection of other Group Leaders, and to help each excel as the primary people manager for their respective clinical research team.

This story highlights the recommendations Ashley offered Melissa given her experience leading teams of people, and how the biotech master’s program helped each prepare for this moment.

Melissa’s Journey: From Scientist to Group Leader

Melissa began her career as a scientist at PPD, honing her technical expertise in biotechnology for nearly two decades. Multiple functional roles exist on each clinical research team at PPD, including a quality specialist, a technical project manager, and various research and data scientist positions. Melissa performed all the roles and excelled at each, but she had avoided stepping into the group leader position.

While her scientific contributions were significant, Melissa recognized her career growth inevitably would require not just being a good member of a team, but an effective team leader. Fortunately, her master’s degree and her extensive experience helped make the transition to people management a smooth one.

“Participating in UW-Madison’s MS in Biotechnology program was transformative,” Melissa recalls. “The curriculum seamlessly blended technical innovation with leadership development, preparing me to think strategically about managing cross-functional teams and guiding customer-facing projects.”

Courses in regulatory science, project management, and biotechnology business operations gave Melissa the tools to transition beyond the lab. These experiences helped build confidence in her ability to lead people and projects effectively.

The Role of the MS in Biotechnology Program

Both Melissa and Ashley credit the program’s interdisciplinary approach for their professional growth.

Ashley explains, “The program provides you not just with advanced scientific knowledge but with a strong foundation in leadership, communication, and problem-solving. These skills are essential for managing teams in a fast-paced environment like PPD and have helped me thrive as a group leader.”

The program’s emphasis on real-world applications, team projects, presentations, and industry case studies prepared Melissa for the dynamic challenges of her new role as a group leader.

Additionally, the professional network Melissa and Ashley share through the program continues to provide valuable mentorship and collaboration opportunities.

Both know there are experienced colleagues in the MS in Biotechnology program’s alumni network who they can turn to for guidance or professional advice.

In this case, Ashley was the graduate and colleague who was able to provide support.

Ashley’s Advice: Mastering the Transition to Leadership

Having navigated similar career milestones, Ashley offered Melissa these insights into excelling as a group leader.

1. Focus on Communication:
   “Effective leadership begins with clear communication,” Ashley advises. “You’ll be bridging the gap between technical teams and management. Ensure your messages are concise and align with organizational goals.”
2. Empower Your Team:
   “A great leader enables their team to succeed. Encourage autonomy, recognize achievements, and invest in their professional development.”
3. Balance Technical and Managerial Roles:
   “It’s easy to get drawn back into hands-on work, but your focus should shift to strategic oversight. Delegate effectively while staying informed about project details.”
4. Leverage Emotional Intelligence:
   Ashley emphasizes the importance of understanding team dynamics. “Managing people means understanding their motivations, addressing conflicts constructively, and building trust.”

Looking Ahead

Melissa is enthusiastic about her journey into leadership. “The transition is both challenging and rewarding,” she shares.

“I’m grateful for the solid foundation provided by UW-Madison’s MS in Biotechnology program and the guidance of colleagues like Ashley.”

For Melissa, success as a group leader lies in fostering collaboration, driving innovation, and continuing to learn. With the support of her peers and mentors, she’s well-equipped to navigate this new chapter in her career.

On Wisconsin!

Melissa and Ashley’s stories highlight the transformative impact of UW-Madison’s MS in Biotechnology Program. By combining technical skill-building with leadership training, the program prepares professionals to take on pivotal roles in the biotechnology industry.

Since Melissa has stepped into her role as a group leader, she has shown how education, mentorship, and intentional preparation can pave the way for career advancement.

Her initial hesitance managing teams of people is gone, replaced by confidence and joy. “I love what I’m doing right now, and I appreciate the support I’ve received from Ashley. Reaching career milestones like this is why I completed the MS in Biotechnology Program.”