Women in Science and Engineering at Yale (2020 Edition)

Sophie Bledsoe Aberle (1896–1996), MD, Ph.D.

Photo: Courtesy of Gesell Institute of Child Development

Sophie Bledsoe Aberle earned her Ph.D. in Genetics in 1927 at the University of California in Berkeley. She also earned an MD from Yale University in 1930. For four years afterwards, she was an instructor at Yale University working in various roles such as assistant histologist, embryologist, neurologist, and anthropology instructor. For most of her career Dr. Aberle focused on Native Americans issues, especially on land rights and health. She was the first Superintendent of Indian Affairs. Dr. Aberle was also one of the first women appointed to the National Science Board in 1951.