The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), the leading trade association for the dietary supplement and functional food industry, today announced the agenda and featured speakers for its inaugural SciComms Connect symposium. SciComms Connect is part of CRN’s Signature Events with Innovation Exchange and CONVERGENCE ‘26, taking place Oct. 6–8 at the Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, California.
SciComms Connect, themed “Bridging Science and Marketing to Advance Women's Vitality,” will kick off the morning of Oct. 6, convening leaders in research, product development, and communications to explore how science can be responsibly translated 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, Ph.D., 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.”
“Evidence-Based Supplementation in Women: Measuring Clinical Efficacy,” will be the topic of the SciComms Connect keynote address, delivered by Heather Woolery-Lloyd, M.D., FAAD, chief medical advisor at Nutrafol.
Additional sessions will explore:
- Menopause and healthy aging, featuring Roberta Brinton, Ph.D., director of the Center for Innovation in Brain Science at the University of Arizona, who will discuss evidence-based phytoestrogens and their role in supporting menopausal symptoms and neurological health, followed by Kate Jamieson of Bonafide Health on communicating science-driven menopause innovations to consumers.
- Women's metabolic, hormonal, and active lifestyle health, including presentations from Madison Kackley, Ph.D., of the Ohio State University on translating research into strategies that support women's health across the lifespan, and Kathryn Armstrong, Ph.D., chief scientific officer at USANA Health Sciences, on advancing women in sports through strategic partnerships.
- Maternal nutrition and pregnancy health, featuring Ryan Woodbury, co-founder and co-CEO of Needed, on advancing maternal nutrition education for healthcare practitioners, brand advocates, and moms-to-be, and Danielle Christifano, Ph.D., of the University of Kansas Medical Center on evidence-based nutrition approaches to improving maternal health outcomes.
SciComms Connect will conclude with a moderated discussion among the day’s presenters, exploring emerging opportunities, communication challenges, and future directions for women's health innovation.
Attendees will gain insights into current scientific developments, practical strategies for communicating evidence to diverse audiences, and approaches for building trust through credible, evidence-based communications.
Visit www.crnusa.org/2026events for details on CRN’s 2026 Signature Events, including registration options for SciComms Connect, CONVERGENCE ’26, and event packages. Innovation Exchange is complimentary for all registered attendees of SciComms and CONVERGENCE.
The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), founded in 1973 and based in Washington, D.C., is the leading trade association representing the dietary supplement and functional food industry. Bringing together manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, and service providers, CRN unites its member companies around a shared commitment to science, transparency, and responsible business practices—advancing a strong, credible marketplace that supports consumer health and industry growth.
In an increasingly complex regulatory and media environment, CRN serves as the industry’s front line—shaping science-based policy, defending market access, and countering misinformation. Through strategic advocacy, self-regulatory leadership, voluntary guidelines, and evidence-based communications, CRN ensures that responsible companies are recognized, protected, and positioned to innovate and compete. Learn more at crnusa.org and follow @CRN_Supplements on X and LinkedIn.