Abstract: This disclosure describes compositions and methods related to cryoprotection of biomaterial. Generally, the cryoprotective composition includes a cryoprotective agent and magnetic nanoparticles effective for thawing a cryopreserved specimen comprising biomaterial with minimal biomaterial damage. In some embodiments, the composition is effective for thawing a cryopreserved specimen having a minimum dimension of 0.1 mm. Generally, the method includes obtaining a biomaterial cryopreserved with a cryoprotective composition as summarized above, then subjecting the cryopreserved biomaterial to electromagnetic energy of an intensity sufficient to excite the magnetic nanoparticles and thaw the biomaterial.