Engineering graduate student wins best poster award for cryobiology research at international conference 

Toni Perkins, a Ph.D. student in mechanical engineering specializing in biomedical engineering, was awarded the Student Best Poster Award at the 63rd Annual Meeting of the Society for Cryobiology (CRYO2026)  held at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington.

Her poster, titled “Vitrification and Rewarming of Hepatocyte Spheroids Using a Rapid Conduction Device for Regenerative Medicine Applications,” highlights critical advancements in regenerative medicine and organ preservation using engineering technology. Conducted under the guidance of Dr. Charles Y. Lee, the research reflects a collaborative effort with fellow researchers at UNC Charlotte, the University of Minnesota and the Mayo Clinic.

Perkins’ research aims to mitigate cellular damage during freezing for regenerative medicine applications and will help advance biopreservation techniques, ultimately transforming the field of organ transplantation .

To support her attendance at the conference, Perkins also received student travel grants from both the UNC Charlotte Graduate School and the conference awards committee.