Berna Sozen

Berna Sozen is an Assistant Professor of Genetics and Reproductive Sciences at Yale School of Medicine. She leads an independent research group focused on early mammalian embryogenesis and stem cell-based models of human development. Her work integrates advanced stem cell technologies, multi-omics profiling, and imaging to elucidate mechanisms guiding human development.

Education:

• B.S. Biology, Akdeniz University (Turkey), 2009
• M.Sc. Reproductive Biology, Akdeniz University School of Medicine (Turkey), 2013
• Ph.D. Developmental Biology, Akdeniz University School of Medicine (Turkey), 2018

Research Interests: Her lab explores lineage specification, tissue morphogenesis, and self-organization of embryonic structures. Key areas include metabolic regulation in gastrulation, stem cell-derived embryo models, and applications in bioengineering.

Awards & Honors:

• NIH Director’s New Innovator Award (2022)
• Blavatnik Accelerator Award (2024)
• Smith Family Foundation Award (2022)

Labs & Affiliations: Director of the Whisk Cup Lab at Yale Stem Cell Center, collaborating with institutions including Caltech and the University of Cambridge. Her work bridges bioengineering, developmental biology, and clinical applications.