Embodiments herein relate to systems and methods for thawing cells using magnetic particles, such as Curie-magnetic or Néel-magnetic particles. In an embodiment, a cell storage medium for cryopreservation is included. The cell storage medium can include a cryoprotective agent; and a plurality of particles comprising a magnetic material. In an embodiment, a method for thawing a frozen cell sample is included. The method can include obtaining a frozen cell sample comprising particles, the particles comprising a magnetic material and applying an alternating electromagnetic field to the frozen cell sample to induce heating of the magnetic material. Other embodiments are also included herein.