Biostasis Week Conference
2025

Dr. Emil Kendziorra is the Founder and CEO of Tomorrow.Bio, a startup dedicated to advancing biostasis (cryonics) research and providing human cryopreservation services. He graduated summa cum laude from the University of Göttingen and has extensive experience in cancer research and entrepreneurship. Dr. Kendziorra has founded and led multiple tech and medical startups, including MedLanes and onFeedback. His vision is to build an organization that significantly contributes to the field of cryonics and promotes public awareness about its potential.

Kai Micah Mills is the CEO of Cryopets, a startup specializing in cryopreservation for pets, and a co-founder of CryoDAO, a decentralized organization funding cryonics research. With a background as a tech entrepreneur and Thiel Fellow, Kai is dedicated to advancing cryopreservation technologies and making significant contributions to the field of life extension.

Max More is a philosopher and futurist known for his work on transhumanism and the philosophy of extropy. He is the founder of the Extropy Institute and has served as President and CEO of the Alcor Life Extension Foundation. Max holds a degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from Oxford University and a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Southern California. His writings and ideas have significantly influenced the transhumanist movement, focusing on the potential of emerging technologies to enhance human capabilities and extend life.

Marc P. Bernegger is a serial tech entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the longevity sector. He co-founded Maximon, a longevity company-builder, and Longevity Investors, and launched AltAlpha Digital. Marc holds board positions at CfC St. Moritz and GenTwo. A pioneer in cryptocurrency, he explored Bitcoin in 2012 and was a founding shareholder and board member of Crypto Finance Group, which was acquired by Deutsche Boerse in 2021. Marc’s entrepreneurial journey began with usgang.ch (acquired by Axel Springer) and continued with amiando (acquired by Xing), named “Global Technology Pioneer” by the WEF. He holds a law master’s from the University of Zurich and is an alumni of Singularity University.

Ariel Zeleznikow-Johnston is a neuroscientist at Monash University, Australia, where he investigates methods for characterising the nature of conscious experiences. Ariel is also the author of "The Future Loves You: How and Why We Should Abolish Death", and has been featured in major publications like The Guardian and the BBC. His research interests range from the decline, preservation and rescue of cognitive function at different stages of the lifespan, through to comparing different people’s conscious experience of colour. By contributing to research that clarifies the neurobiological, cognitive, and philosophical basis of what it is to be a person, he hopes to accelerate the development of medical infrastructure that will help prevent him and everyone else from dying.

Sebastian Giwa is an entrepreneur and innovator with extensive experience in biotechnology and translational research. He is the founder of Sylvatica Biotech, a company at the forefront of developing advanced preservation technologies to enable organ banking and improve global access to transplantation. Sebastian's background spans cryobiology, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine, with a focus on overcoming the challenges of long-term organ storage. His work aims to revolutionize healthcare by creating solutions that enhance the availability and efficiency of life-saving organ transplants worldwide.

Throughout his career, Andrew McKenzie has contributed to the understanding of brain cell type-specific gene expression and co-expression network architectures. His work aims to advance the field of neuroscience through innovative research and collaboration. Dr. McKenzie's research focuses on brain banking, ischemic alterations in the brain, and long-term preservation methods. His scholarly work emphasizes structural brain preservation, guiding the research directions at Oregon Brain Preservation, a non-profit organization.

James Arrowood is an entrepreneur, legal expert, and executive with extensive experience in the life extension and biotechnology sectors. He is the Co-CEO of the Alcor Life Extension Foundation, where he has been instrumental in guiding the organization since 2015. James initially joined Alcor as outside General Counsel, helping navigate complex legal and business challenges. He has also served on the board of directors for a major local non-profit and as its public relations chair, contributing to his long-standing expertise in media and public relations. His work focuses on advancing Alcor’s mission and engaging with the wider conversation on cutting-edge technologies aimed at extending human lifespan.

Ralf Spindler is a leading scientist and innovator with extensive expertise in neural systems cryopreservation. As the Head of Neural Systems Cryopreservation at 21st Century Medicine, he plays a pivotal role in advancing preservation techniques critical to the field of cryobiology. With a background in electrical and biomedical engineering, Ralf's research focuses on improving methods to preserve the human brain and other neural structures at ultra-low temperatures, with the goal of ensuring their integrity for future revival. His work is at the forefront of bridging the gap between cutting-edge science and long-term human preservation.

Ralph C. Merkle is a computer scientist and cryptographer with over 40 years of experience in academic research and technological innovation. He is a board member at the Alcor Life Extension Foundation, an organization focused on cryonics and life extension. Ralph's scientific background encompasses public key cryptography, cryptographic hashing, and nanotechnology. His work aims to advance secure communication systems and explore technologies to extend human life.

Aschwin de Wolf is a Dutch-born American cryobiologist and entrepreneur with extensive experience in cryonics research and writing. He is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Advanced Neural Biosciences (ANB), a biomedical research company established in 2008. ANB focuses on developing low-temperature technologies to preserve central nervous tissue and whole brains, aiming to advance brain banking, pharmacological drug discovery, and the study of neurodegenerative diseases. He co-authored the first comprehensive human cryopreservation procedures manual and authored the first medical biostasis protocol. Aschwin's involvement in cryonics extends to founding the Depressed Metabolism blog in 2007, which later evolved into Biostasis.com. He also co-founded and served as president of the Institute for Evidence-Based Cryonics. Through his work, Aschwin aims to advance the science and application of cryopreservation techniques, contributing to the potential for future medical applications and the extension of human life.

Brian G. Wowk is a medical physicist and cryobiologist with over 20 years of experience in cryobiological research and technology development. He serves as the Chief Technology Officer at 21st Century Medicine, where he has been instrumental in advancing cryopreservation techniques. In his role at 21st Century Medicine, Dr. Wowk continues to lead efforts in developing advanced cryobiological technologies, aiming to improve the preservation and longevity of biological tissues and organs. Dr. Wowk's notable contributions include the discovery and development of synthetic molecules that mimic natural antifreeze proteins, commonly referred to as "ice blockers." These innovations have been pivotal in enabling the vitrification and successful transplantation of complex mammalian organs, such as kidneys. He is presently refining electromagnetic warming methods for vitrified whole organs.

Rebecca Ziegler is a cryonics specialist with a focus on advancing human cryopreservation technologies. She helped organize the 2024 Global Cryonics Summit, which brought together cryonics experts to develop a cohesive cryonics community and spark new ideas. She served as a Product Manager at Tomorrow Bio, a company dedicated to making cryonics more accessible and reliable through state-of-the-art preservation techniques and emergency standby services. Now she serves as a Director at the Cryosphere Foundation, with the goal to bring together experts and foster a cohesive cryonics community. Her work aims to refine cryonics processes and make human cryopreservation more accessible and effective.

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Eric Magro is an entrepreneur and advocate for life extension, dedicated to advancing the fields of cryonics and longevity policy. He is the Co-Founder of Cryosphere, a platform focused on fostering community and innovation in cryonics. As Director of Operations at LongeviPAC, Eric works to shape policies that support life extension technologies and research. He helped organize the 2024 Global Cryonics Summit, which brought together experts to provide the space and resources to push projects forward. His efforts bring together scientific progress and public policy, ensuring that advancements in longevity science receive the attention and support they deserve. Through his work, Eric aims to accelerate the development of life-preserving technologies and expand access to cutting-edge longevity solutions.

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Max Marty is a serial entrepreneur and active member of the cryonics community. In 2011, Max co-founded Blueseed, a project aimed at creating a floating startup incubator off the coast of California. The initiative sought to provide a visa-free environment for international entrepreneurs to collaborate and innovate near Silicon Valley. He is the creator of The Cryosphere, an online cryonics-focused community, fostering discussions among enthusiasts and professionals. He helped organize the 2024 Global Cryonics Summit, which connected experts from the industry and community. Max also co-hosts The Cryosphere Podcast, where he engages with key figures in the field to explore the scientific, social, and philosophical aspects of cryonics. Through his initiatives, Max aims to advance public understanding and acceptance of cryonics as a viable option for life extension. Max's diverse entrepreneurial ventures reflect his commitment to pioneering unconventional solutions and fostering global collaboration in technology and life extension.

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Dr. Nick Llewellyn is a biomedical researcher with over 20 years of experience in molecular and cellular biology. In November 2024, Dr. Llewellyn joined the Alcor Life Extension Foundation as Director of Research and Development, where he leads efforts to advance cryopreservation techniques and organ viability assessments. Under his direction, Alcor has established a dedicated laboratory space and assembled a team of specialists from top institutions to tackle preservation challenges. Dr. Llewellyn's current projects include the cryopreservation and normothermic perfusion of pig kidneys, aiming to test organ viability before and after cryopreservation.

Daniel Walters is a prominent advocate for cryonics and life extension, with extensive experience in community engagement and digital outreach. He is the co-host of the Cryosphere Podcast, where he explores the latest advancements, challenges, and philosophies surrounding cryopreservation. He helped organize the 2024 Global Cryonics Summit, which brought together experts to foster a cohesive cryonics community. With deep roots in the cryonics community, Daniel has played a key role in fostering discussion and awareness. As Community Outreach Coordinator at Alcor Life Extension Foundation, Daniel is focused on transforming Alcor’s digital presence by enhancing member communications, expanding social media engagement, and modernizing its online platforms. His work bridges the gap between scientific progress and public awareness, ensuring that cryonics continues to gain traction as a viable approach to life extension.