General Information
On behalf of the Program Committee, we warmly welcome you to the Society for Cryobiology’s CRYO2023 conference to be held on the beautiful University of Minnesota (UMN) campus.
2023 is a very special year for the Society for Cryobiology. This year, we celebrate 60 years of Annual Meetings which bring together individuals with diverse expertise to deliver new cryopreservation technologies with immense societal impacts in broad sectors ranging from human health to biodiversity. While we look back proudly on our history, our eye is also firmly on the future of cryobiology, and this will be one of the defining themes of the meeting.
Minneapolis is well suited to host CRYO2023. UMN is home to the new Research Center Advanced Technologies for the Preservation of Biological Systems (ATP-Bio), led by the Institute for Engineering in Medicine and the Center for Engineering in Medicine and Surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital. Furthermore, Minneapolis is one of the largest Health Tech clusters in the US, and is home to a range of relevant health and life science technologies including medical devices, health care, pharma & biotech, health IT, and animal sciences. In fact, the Life Sciences are so entrenched in Minneapolis that the city is colloquially referred to as ‘Medical Alley’.
At this conference, we aim to celebrate a wide range of achievements in cryopreservation, including making transplantable organs/tissues available to those who need them, decreasing the time and cost of drug development, helping to feed the world, protect living organisms from extinction, and more. This meeting will be a platform for us to reflect on our past achievements, share new insights and ideas, have constructive discussions, extend our networks and collaborations, and most importantly push forward into our next and greatest era of cryopreservation research.

Sincerely,
Dr. Shannon N. Tessier
CRYO2023 Executive Co-Chair
Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School

Dr. Charles Y. Lee
CRYO2023 Executive Co-Chair
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
The Society for Cryobiology was founded in 1964 to bring together those from the biological, medical and physical sciences who have a common interest in the effect of low temperatures on biological systems. The purpose of the Society is to promote scientific research in low temperature biology, to improve scientific understanding in this field, and to disseminate and apply this knowledge to the benefit of mankind. Learn more about us.
CRYO2023 is the Society for Cryobiology’s 60th annual meeting. This three day event will host over 350 delegates from more than 35 countries including scientists and researchers from industry, academia, government organizations and non-profits.
With a special program celebrating 60 years of history, yet looking to the future, we invite you to join us for this important milestone meeting which will be remembered for years to come.
Executive Co-Chair
Shannon N. Tessier, PhD
Harvard Medical School &
Massachusetts General Hospital, USA
Executive Co-Chair
Charles Lee, PhD
UNC Charlotte, USA
Program Committee
Jason Acker, PhD
University of Alberta;
Canadian Blood Services, Canada
Iqra Azam
University of Saskatchewan, Canada
Daniel Ballesteros, PhD
University of Valencia, Spain
Allison Hubel, PhD
University of Minnesota, USA
Purva Joshi, PhD
Harvard Medical School &
Massachusetts General Hospital, USA
Peter Kilbride, PhD
Cytiva, UK
Charles Y. Lee, PhD
UNC Charlotte, USA
Steven Mullen, PhD
Cook Medical, USA
Estefania Paredes, PhD
University of Vigo, Spain
Allison Parry-Jones, PhD
Wales Cancer Bank, UK
Matt Powell-Palm, PhD
Texas A&M University, USA
Rebecca Sandlin, PhD
Harvard Medical School &
Massachusetts General Hospital, USA
Sumona Sarkar, PhD
National Institute for Standards &
Technology (NIST), USA
Shannon N. Tessier, PhD
Harvard Medical School &
Massachusetts General Hospital, USA
Christina Walters, PhD
US Department of Agriculture (USDA), USA
Logistics
Nicole Evans
Society for Cryobiology, USA
Amelia Hanson
Society for Cryobiology, USA
Charles Y. Lee, PhD
UNC Charlotte, USA
Katherine Lindsay
University of Minnesota, USA
Andrew Monk
University of Minnesota, USA
Shannon N. Tessier, PhD
Harvard Medical School &
Massachusetts General Hospital, USA
International Cryobiology Young Researchers (ICYR)
Iqra Azam
University of Saskatchewan, Canada
Darya Chernikhova
Smithsonian Institute, USA
Purva Joshi, PhD
Harvard Medical School &
Massachusetts General Hospital, USA
Lakshya Gangwar
University of Minnesota, USA
Peter Kilbride, PhD
Cytiva, UK
Estefania Paredes, PhD
University of Vigo, Spain
Devarsh Vispute
Carnegie Mellon University, USA
Abstract submission is currently open. Abstract submission will close February 20, 2022 at 11:59PM US/CT.
Abstracts can be submitted as in-person or virtual for both oral and poster presentations. Please note the program committee reserves the right to prioritize oral presentation slots for presenters who are able to attend the meeting in person in Minneapolis.
DOWNLOAD ABSTRACT GUIDELINES
Important Dates
Abstract Submission Closes: February 20
Review Period: February 21 – March 13
Program Assembly: March 14 – March 24
Author Notification: March 27
If you require a visa to enter the USA (not an ESTA) please submit your abstract ASAP and well in advance of the abstract deadline as the CRYO2023 organizers will prioritize early acceptance for presenting authors who require a visa.
Please note submissions for all CRYO2023 Awards and Travel Grants have closed.
STUDENT AWARDS AND TRAVEL GRANTS
Each year the Society for Cryobiology presents a number of awards and travel grants to students from around the globe to recognize excellence in student research and to assist in funding student participation at the meeting.
- Travel Grants – based on need. Typically from $300 – $1,000.
- Critser Award – based on need. For the top ranked student abstract.
- Crystal Award – $1,000. For the winner of the best student oral presentation.
- Poster Award – $500. For the winner of the best student poster.
For more information on the student awards and travel grants available please see the Society for Cryobiology website.
HOW TO APPLY FOR STUDENT AWARDS AND TRAVEL GRANTS
The deadline for applications closed on February 20th, 2023.
1. Submit your <300 word abstract for peer review and acceptance to CRYO2023 through the usual submission channel at https://openconf.org/cryo2023. See the submission guidelines under ‘Submit an Abstract’ above for details.
2. Download the EXTENDED ABSTRACT FORM, complete it and save as a PDF.
3. Complete the ONLINE APPLICATION FORM.
To complete the form you will need
*Your completed extended abstract form saved as a PDF
*Proof of student enrolment or graduation date (see the list of acceptable proof on the form)
*Your Open Conf abstract ID number
*To be a current student member of the Society for Cryobiology or have submitted a pending application for membership. Student membership is free. CLICK HERE TO JOIN OR RENEW.
DAYONG GAO YOUNG INVESTIGATOR AWARD
The deadline for applications closed on January 20, 2023.
The Dayong Gao Young Investigator Award, sponsored by Goldsim, is an early career award for cryobiologists in the first 10 years of their post-PhD career. The award carries a cash prize of $5,000.
Are you interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at CRYO2023? We will be happy to tailor a package to suit your requirements.
***SPECIAL SPONSORSHIP RATES AVAILABLE FOR CRYO2022 SPONSORS. PLEASE CONTACT US FOR MORE DETAILS***

McNamara Alumni Center
200 Oak Street S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Nestled in the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus, the McNamara Alumni Center is one of Minnesota’s premier event venues. The building represents Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes, the North Shore, the Iron Range, the Northern Lights and more — in its forms, materials and design elements, including a pink granite-covered geode exterior with star-shaped glass fissures; an 85-foot tall Memorial Hall complete with six miles of wood lining its walls and a water stream and pool; and 75,000 square feet of copper cover exterior and interior walls. The Alumni Center has received numerous awards for its unique architecture and hosts up to 900 events per year.
This unique events space will be the perfect backdrop to celebrate the Society for Cryobiology’s 60th Annual Meeting.
Located only steps from the McNamara Alumni Center is CRYO2023’s official hotel – the Graduate Minneapolis. Take advantage of our discounted rate for CRYO2023 delegates when you book using the link below before July 4, 2023.
The room rate is $169/night + tax.
Hotel Facilities include fitness center, complimentary bike rentals, Top Golf Swing Suite (additional fee), The Beacon restaurant, and Starbucks onsite.
How to book a room:
- Click on the Make Reservation button below
- Select the exact dates of your stay (top of page)
- Click on check availability
- Select room type – “Book now”
- Confirm your stay, enter your name & credit card
Cancellations must be received 24 hours prior to the day of arrival or the first night’s rate will be charged to the credit card on file.
The Society for Cryobiology welcomes global symposia proposals on any area of cryobiology. All proposals will be assessed by the program committee.
The deadline for symposium proposals is March 31st, 2023.