CRN’s 2025 ‘Science in Session’ to Dive Into Power of Bioactives for Human Health

Research-Driven Program Part of Premier Dietary Supplement and Functional Food Industry Signature Events


AUGUST 5, 2025

WASHINGTON – The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), the leading trade association for the dietary supplement and functional food industry, today announced the lineup of top scientists and academic researchers presenting at Science in Session, part of its signature events taking place Oct. 8–10 at the Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis.

Science in Session, this year themed “Edge of Innovation: Bioactives to Advance Human Health,” will explore emerging data on prebiotics, postbiotics, polyphenols, botanicals, and other bioactives with implications for cognitive resilience, women’s health, bone development, and prenatal nutrition.

“Science in Session is where we bring forward-looking research directly to industry leaders,” said CRN Senior Vice President, Scientific & Regulatory Affairs Andrea Wong, Ph.D. “This year’s agenda highlights frontiers in research exploring diverse areas where bioactives and nutrition interventions may support health across the lifespan—from maternal wellness to stress resilience to healthy aging.”

The 2025 Science in Session agenda includes discussions on these cutting-edge topics by esteemed experts:

  • Role of prebiotics in women’s health and longevity
    Brenda J. Smith, Ph.D., Indiana University School of Medicine
  • The microbiota-gut-brain axis: mechanisms and the role of postbiotics
    Melanie Gareau, Ph.D., University of California, Davis
  • Plant polyphenol metabolites and resilience to stress-induced mood and anxiety
    Giulio Maria Pasinetti, M.D., Ph.D., Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
  • Botanical derived progestins and their impact on women’s health
    Joanna Burdette, Ph.D., University of Illinois Chicago
  • The influence of dietary phytochemicals on skeletal development and bone growth
    Jin-Ran Chen, M.D., Ph.D., University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences / Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center
  • Targeting the developmental origins of metabolic disease in offspring through maternal natural health product supplementation
    Todd C. Rideout, Ph.D., State University of New York at Buffalo


Science in Session is open to CRN members and nonmembers and includes breakfast, lunch, and networking opportunities. Learn more and register at crnusa.org/2025events.

 

About CRN: The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), founded in 1973, is a Washington, D.C.-based trade association representing 180+ dietary supplement and functional food manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, and companies providing services to those manufacturers and suppliers. In addition to complying with a host of federal and state regulations governing dietary supplements and food in the areas of manufacturing, marketing, quality control and safety, our manufacturer and supplier members also agree to adhere to additional voluntary guidelines as well as to CRN’s Code of Ethics.  Follow us on LinkedIn and X  @CRN_Supplements.