CryoStore at WUR - Mahsa Abdi

PhD 7 Improved procedures for successful cryopreservation of porcine semen and oocytes

My name is Mahsa Abdi, and I am from Iran. I completed my bachelor’s degree in molecular and Cellular Biology with a focus on Genetics in Iran. Seeking to advance my studies, I applied to a master's program in Norway and earned my master’s degree in March 2024 from Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences under the supervision of Professor Elisabeth Kommisrud.

My master’s thesis focused on "Oocyte Parameters Important for Embryo Survival and Development During In Vitro Embryo Production." The main objective of my research was to investigate the ATP content and distribution of mitochondria in maturing bovine oocytes and their relation to embryo developmental competence. Additionally, the project involved performing IVF at different time points during the maturation process and evaluating the blastocyst yield from these time points.

This research inspired me to pursue a PhD position. I am currently a PhD candidate at Wageningen University & Research in the Netherlands, working under the supervision of Dr. Julie Lamy, Dr. Marta Ruijter-Villani, Dr. Louisa Zak, and Dr. Annemieke Rattink. My PhD project, titled "Improved Procedures for the Cryopreservation of Pig Oocytes and Embryos," is a four-year program aimed at addressing the lack of standardized procedures for the cryopreservation of pig oocytes and embryos, which are critical for breeding companies and gene banking. The primary goal of my research is to explore and develop new technologies for the slow freezing and vitrification of pig embryos and oocytes.