About the Founder
Mary L Raber Johnson, PhD, RAC
My passion for science and its impact on healthcare has been the driving force behind every step of my career starting with a B.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences (2004), followed by a PhD in Chemistry that focused on infectious disease and mechanistic studies (2009). Writing publications in graduate school sparked a realization that I wanted to go beyond the bench and connect science and medicine to any audience, not just in academia.
-
Starting in 2009, I was fortunate to have many medical and scientific director roles at pharmaceutical agencies, collaborating with major pharmaceutical and biotech partners in commercial/marketing, medical affairs, publications, and Promo Med Ed.
-
While serving as a Medical Director within an Agency of Record, I earned In 2012, I earned my U.S. Regulatory Affairs Certification (RAC) through the Regulatory Affairs Professional Society (RAPS)—a credential I have actively maintained based on industry and academia. I sought out closer collaboration with pharmaceutical regulatory affairs teams.
-
In 2015, I took the leap to launch my own consultancy, determined to engage more directly in translating science into strategies in a variety of areas. My consultancy was devoted to delivering medical strategy, regulatory writing, and integrated communications to pharmaceutical and biotech organizations. I supported clients at pivotal regulatory milestones, including late-stage development and product launches, ensuring clarity, compliance, and strategic insight every step of the way.
-
In parallel to my consultancy, I was a an Assistant Professor - Clinical at The Ohio State University (2017-2024) designing and teaching pharmaceutical and regulatory-focused course work. I developed and taught graduate courses in the Master of Clinical Research and MS in Translational Pharmacology programs, including pathophysiology, global regulations, regulatory strategy, and clinical trial reporting. This experience further fueled my commitment to education and staying at the forefront of scientific and regulatory advancements.
-
In 2024, I dedicated myself fully to my consultancy and expanded my offerings. I have continued to expand my expertise in regulatory writing, medical affairs education, publication development, market access, and AdPromo initiatives.
-
In 2025, in response to the increased requests from multiple clients, I expanded StratPhD with a trusted team who have an array of clinical and scientific experience and will continue to ensure we deliver comprehensive, innovative solutions that help you succeed at every stage.
My journey has always been anchored in a love for science and a commitment to advancing healthcare in creative ways—and I look forward to partnering with you to translate complex challenges into meaningful results.
Degrees and Certification
2012 (renewed 2015, 2018, 2021, 2024)
U.S. Regulatory Affairs Certification
Regulatory Affairs Professional Society (RAPS)
The certification covers US regulatory affairs for regulatory functions throughout product lifecycles for medical devices, in-vitro diagnostics (IVDs), pharmaceuticals, and biologics.
2004-2009
Ph.D. Chemistry
M.A. Chemistry
Johns Hopkins University
School of Arts and Sciences
Research Advisor: Craig A. Townsend, PhD
Dissertation title: Mechanistic analyses of clavulanic acid biosynthesis
Doctoral research was in infectious disease, specifically the early enzymes in the biosynthetic pathway of clavulanic acid (the beta-lactamase inhibitor found in a common antibiotic). Techniques in chemistry, biochemistry, and molecular biology uncovered the rate-limiting step and mechanistic details of beta-lactam synthetase.
1999-2004
B.S. Pharmaceutical Sciences
Minors in Chemistry and Women's Studies
The Ohio State University
College of Pharmacy
Research Advisor: Robert W. Brueggemeier, PhD
Research in Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy
Medicinal chemistry research focused on the synthesis of novel, putative aromatase inhibitors for use in breast cancer including an HPLC scientific reference manual on berry extracts and putative active ingredients.
I achieved the "Pharmcognosy Award" from the College of Pharmacy in 2004 based on my research in the Brueggemeier lab.
AdPromo Regulatory Affairs Conference Participation
-
Raber Johnson ML. Moderator, and Organizer – “Ad Promo and Digital Health: Recent Advances.” DIA Advertising and Promotion Regulatory Affairs Conference. Mar 9, 2021: virtual.
-
Raber Johnson ML. Moderator and Organizer – “What Goes into a Successful Promotional Communication Strategy? Panel and Examples.” DIA Advertising and Promotion Regulatory Affairs Conference. May 19, 2020: virtual.
-
Raber Johnson ML. Speaker, Moderator, and Organizer – “Innovations in clinical trial design impacting promotional practices.” DIA Advertising and Promotion Regulatory Affairs Conference. Mar 9, 2018: North Bethesda, MD.
​
AdPromo Regulatory Affairs Conference Planning Committee
-
Raber Johnson ML. DIA Program Committee (Jul 2020-Mar 2021) – Advertising and Promotion Regulatory Affairs Conference
-
Raber Johnson ML. DIA Program Committee (Jul 2019-Mar 2020) – Advertising and Promotion Regulatory Affairs Conference
-
Raber Johnson ML. DIA Program Committee (Aug 2017-Mar 2018) – Advertising and Promotion Regulatory Affairs Conference
​
Select Peer-Reviewed Publications Related to Medical Writing and Pharmaceutical Regulations
-
Raber-Johnson ML, Stinson M, Dillon C. Key Steps Toward a Promotional Communications Strategy: Collaboration Best Practices for Teams Creating Promotional Materials and Regulatory Colleagues. Therapeutic Innovation and Regulatory Science. 2021;55(4):696-704. doi: 10.1007/s43441-021-00272-1
-
Raber-Johnson ML, Gallwitz WE, Sullivan EJ, Storer P. Innovation in clinical trial design and product promotion: evolving the patient perspective with regulatory and technological advances. Therapeutic Innovation and Regulatory Science. 2020;54:519-527. doi: 10.1007/s43441-019-00083-5
-
Archer R, Raber Johnson M, Chipps E. Evaluating the Role of the Regulatory Writer. Clinical Researcher. 2019;33(9). Available at: https://acrpnet.org/2019/11/12/evaluating-the-role-of-the-regulatory-writer/
-
Palmisano Holliday E, Raber Johnson ML. Risk-Based Strategies and Technology: Streamlining Site Activities. Clinical Researcher. 2019;33(1). Available at: https://acrpnet.org/2019/01/15/risk-based-strategies-and-technology-streamlining-site-activities/