Abby Spung, vice president and creative director, has been selected as a panelist in the first Women in Bioscience Conference sponsored by BioOhio on Dec. 9 at the Villa Milano Conference Center in Columbus.

Spung will join other women executives from the marketing and digital media industry in discussing opportunities for women in life science and biotechnology markets.

BioOhio is responding to the rapid rate of change among new communication pathways which present significant challenges to women scientists and researchers, many of whom find themselves in unfamiliar marketing positions in new and emerging growth companies bringing new technologies to the market, Spung said.

"The scientific industry continues to attract and depend on women at all levels, from biomedical and pharmaceutical researchers to sales, marketing and brand managers," she said. "It is important that we offer peer support, education and ideas. The conference includes women from college age to seasoned professionals who want to make significant contributions to company growth as they assume new management positions."

The goal of the conference is to highlight numerous bioscience career options and to share practical concepts to advance the roles of women in the bioscience industry.

According to BioOhio, there are more than 1,600 bioscience-related organizations at over 3,000 facilities in 73 of 88 Ohio counties. These organizations manufacture products and provide essential research in service to a global industry.

Spung has worked with OffWhite since 1998. As the company's creative director she oversees brand strategy for clients worldwide.