CRN Announces Agenda for SciComms Connect Symposium

The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) has announced the agenda and featured speakers for SciComms Connect Symposium, a new event that is taking place alongside the association’s signature events, Innovation Exchange and Convergence ’26. All three events are taking place at the Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, California.

The SciComms Connect event is themed “Bridging Science and Marketing to Advance Women’s Vitality,” and will kick off on the morning of Oct. 6. Researchers, product developers, and communications professionals will discuss translating science into dietary supplements and functional foods designed for women.

“Women’s health is entering a new era of scientific discovery, creating unprecedented opportunities to improve health and quality of life through evidence-based nutrition. Realizing that potential requires innovative research, as well as trusted communication that connects science with the women it is intended to serve,” said Andrea Wong, PhD, CRN’s senior vice president and chief science officer. “SciComms Connect brings together the scientific, product development, and communications communities to help shape a future where credible science drives innovation, informs consumer choice, and strengthens trust in dietary supplements and functional foods.”

The keynote address, “Evidence-Based Supplementation in Women: Measuring Clinical Efficacy” will be delivered by Heather Woolery-Lloyd, MD, FAAD, chief medical advisor at Nutrafol.

Additional sessions will include:

• A discussion on menopause and healthy aging featuring Roberta Brinton, PhD, director of the Center for Innovation in Brain Science at the University of Arizona. She will cover evidence-based phytoestrogens and their role in menopausal symptoms and neurological health. She will be followed by Kate Jamieson of Bonafide Health on communicating science-driven menopause innovations to consumers.
• Scientific presentations on the topic of women’s metabolism, hormones, and active lifestyles. Madison Kackley, PhD, of Ohio State University, will discuss translating research into strategies that support women’s health across the lifespan. Kathryn Armstrong, PhD, chief scientific officer of Usana Health Sciences, will talk about advancing women in sports through strategic partnerships.
• Discussions on maternal nutrition and pregnancy. Ryan Woodbury, co-founder and CEO of Needed, will discuss advancing maternal nutrition education for healthcare practitioners, brand advocates, and moms-to-be. Danielle Christifano, PhD, of the University of Kansas Medical Center, will discuss evidence-based nutrition approaches to improving maternal health outcomes.

SciComms Connect will conclude with a moderated discussion featuring those presenting to cover emerging opportunities, communication challenges, and future directions for women’s health innovation.