<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Applied Research and Analysis Company, LLC]]></title><description><![CDATA[ARAC]]></description><link>https://www.aracscience.com/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Fri, 19 Jun 2026 16:37:54 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.aracscience.org/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[ARAC Leadership Update &#38; Transition Announcement]]></title><description><![CDATA[Dear colleagues and partners,  I am writing to share an important transition within ARAC. After thoughtful consideration, Allison Shumate (“Allie”) has made the personal decision to step away from her role as Chief Marketing Officer to focus on her young family during this season of their lives. ARAC has undergone exponential growth in the past 12 months, bringing increased work demands and significant global partnerships, making “work-life balance” an unrealistic goal most days. I know how...]]></description><link>https://www.aracscience.com/post/arac-leadership-update-transition-announcement</link><guid isPermaLink="false">691669f1fc22f1d9068c60e2</guid><category><![CDATA[ARAC Announcements]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 14 Nov 2025 17:15:36 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0fa5cf_398e8c88261e47baacf8e1d57a91830d~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_600,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jessica Zdinak</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[CTP Signals Shift Toward Tobacco Harm Reduction]]></title><description><![CDATA[This past Monday  Food and Drug Law Institute (FDLI) ’s Tobacco and Nicotine Conference began with a warm welcome from FDLI President &#38; CEO  Christine Simmon  and a keynote address from  Bret Koplow , Acting Director, Center for Tobacco Products, FDA. KEY TAKEAWAYS: 1. Tone shift: THR enters the regulatory lexicon Koplow’s remarks mark a notable departure in the CTP’s framing: the agency is now actively acknowledging that helping adult smokers who cannot or will not quit combusted cigarettes...]]></description><link>https://www.aracscience.com/post/ctp-signals-shift-toward-tobacco-harm-reduction</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6903af6bbb9a5281a8a5ec71</guid><category><![CDATA[Science Spotlight]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 30 Oct 2025 18:33:25 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0fa5cf_8d695128fe014a0a92b029dc581634b8~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jessica Zdinak</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Person-Centered Approaches to Sensory, Behavioral, &#38; Consumer Research]]></title><description><![CDATA[Global Forum on Nicotine , the organizer of GFN is committed to providing a platform for global public health debate, knowledge exchange and networking, underpinned by the principles of inclusiveness and multi-sectoral engagement. This past June, ARAC lead a pivotal conversation at one of GFN’s SCIENCE LAB - Part 1 &#38; 2: “Person-Centered Approaches to Sensory, Behavioral, &#38; Consumer Research” Samuel C. Hampsher-Monk . A person-centered approach in research and product development is essential...]]></description><link>https://www.aracscience.com/post/person-centered-approaches-to-sensory-behavioral-consumer-research</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68fb641d0696bedbf90e4ae7</guid><category><![CDATA[Presentation REPLAYS]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 24 Oct 2025 11:33:52 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0fa5cf_d583404d81fa4140a6018f186eb15536~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jessica Zdinak</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The FDA Nicotine Pouch Pilot]]></title><description><![CDATA[ARAC shared perspective with  2FIRSTS  on FDA’s new pilot program for nicotine pouch PMTAs — and why the fundamentals still stand. While the pilot aims to streamline review and allow some category-level data, the evidentiary bar hasn’t changed: applicants must still demonstrate that products are appropriate for the protection of public health through rigorous, product-specific data. In short: faster doesn’t mean easier. Robust switching studies, clear marketing plans, and strong behavioral...]]></description><link>https://www.aracscience.com/post/the-fda-nicotine-pouch-pilot</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68f7ee3d2aa3cc1b596abbeb</guid><category><![CDATA[Science Spotlight]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 21 Oct 2025 20:34:16 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0fa5cf_1f882d110c974fc482b3f64f1be46697~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_600,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jessica Zdinak</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[A Win for Science | FDA Update]]></title><description><![CDATA[Exciting news for the industry and a stabilizing moment for CTP. Read KEY FACTS &#38; REFLECTIONS from our  &#38;   , Dr. Jessica Zdinak.   from the article >  Nicotine Insider  HERE  •  Matthew Farrelly  previously served as Director of the OS at CTP (starting in 2023).  • Earlier in 2025, due to a restructuring, his role was changed / reassigned within HHS, though there was no public formal announcement (his LinkedIn still listed him as...]]></description><link>https://www.aracscience.com/post/a-win-for-science-fda-update</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68f7ed824d132695a281d899</guid><category><![CDATA[Science Spotlight]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 21 Oct 2025 20:32:08 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0fa5cf_4524b2d6523f45329eb06b5943992a70~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jessica Zdinak</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Welcome New ARAC Associates!]]></title><description><![CDATA[ARAC is growing! We are excited to welcome three outstanding professionals to our team. READ TEAM BIOS HERE . .   –    Julie is a researcher and scientist with a PhD in psychology and over a decade of interdisciplinary expertise spanning neuroscience, human behavior, and translational research. At ARAC, Julie will lead the design and execution of behavioral science research to uncover insights into human behavior and translate...]]></description><link>https://www.aracscience.com/post/welcome-new-arac-associates</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68e2873468fa888a143ef2cc</guid><category><![CDATA[ARAC Announcements]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 05 Oct 2025 14:58:03 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0fa5cf_4d492c49177c45a1977e54287776b30a~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jessica Zdinak</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[TSRC 2025 RECAP]]></title><description><![CDATA[Last week was a powerful and insightful few days at  Tobacco Science Research Conference (TSRC) ! A heartfelt thank you to TSRC for an outstanding conference that challenged us, connected us, and inspired us. From the thoughtful sessions to the lively discussions, every element drove home just how much can be achieved when brilliant minds come together. We’re proud to share that FOUR ARAC abstracts were accepted for presentation at this year’s  Tobacco Science Research Conference (TSRC)  — a...]]></description><link>https://www.aracscience.com/post/tsrc-2025-recap</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68d69e115a83a9f901b6900f</guid><category><![CDATA[EVENTS]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 26 Sep 2025 14:07:32 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0fa5cf_7b9bfcf18d234ad285a7128ff85b11ab~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jessica Zdinak</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Staying the Course Amid PMTA Pilot Developments]]></title><description><![CDATA[We wanted to provide clarity regarding FDA’s recently announced nicotine pouch pilot program . While the headlines may suggest a shift in requirements, here are a few important considerations: Unless you are in the pilot, nothing has changed yet.  Only four companies were selected, and we are not expecting to know the results of the pilot until the new year.   No clarity over the details.  If and when new "recommendations” emerge, no one knows what the details of these will be, likely not...]]></description><link>https://www.aracscience.com/post/staying-the-course-amid-pmta-pilot-developments</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68d69ab8a1c77a481243f02d</guid><category><![CDATA[Science Spotlight]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 26 Sep 2025 13:53:27 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0fa5cf_7373373108624dccb491f72f4221b5ca~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jessica Zdinak</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[2025 New Approaches Conference]]></title><description><![CDATA[This past Monday was a full day of learning, connecting, and exchanging perspectives on the future of tobacco harm reduction, innovation, and public health at the  New Approaches Conference . AGENDA HERE:  https://lnkd.in/eXMu_XH6 While approaches differ, one constant theme was clear: collaboration across science, industry, public health, and policy is essential if we are truly going to accelerate progress and reduce the harms of smoking. KEY HIGHLIGHTS  from our Lead Clinical Researcher, ...]]></description><link>https://www.aracscience.com/post/2025-new-approaches-conference</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68d55915964c34d74a1d8493</guid><category><![CDATA[EVENTS]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 25 Sep 2025 15:01:10 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0fa5cf_f3ca5d333add4cfbb251dd32be2660da~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jessica Zdinak</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Day 1 | TSRC Key Takeaways]]></title><description><![CDATA[LEARN MORE > http://tsrcinfo.com/ • Dual use isn’t one thing. As  Arielle Selya  reminded us, “dual use” covers many consumption patterns with very different risk profiles. Cross-sectional snapshots miss the whole story and limits what occurs long-term. What looks like a problem at a moment in time can be a transition toward exclusive vaping or even abstinence, with very different risk implications. • Enforcement is up, so must access to regulated alternatives.  Elaine Round  highlighted what...]]></description><link>https://www.aracscience.com/post/day-1-tsrc-key-takeaways</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68c9925e09d048a5bf8de29d</guid><category><![CDATA[EVENTS]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 16 Sep 2025 16:38:22 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0fa5cf_6be0a9faa39a48dc953f8fed3fa6a6a7~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jessica Zdinak</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Bridging Speed and Science: How ARAC Supports Fast-Track Approvals]]></title><description><![CDATA[ARAC – Your partner in bridging regulatory agility with public health responsibility. A push for rapid approvals doesn’t mean cutting corners, and in fact the recent announcement of CTP’s fast tracking of four major manufacturers means quite the opposite. CTP likely knows that these companies have submitted, as always, substantially robust and complete applications for marketing authorization review. It’s likely that these reviews have been expedited because the regulatory body knows that the...]]></description><link>https://www.aracscience.com/post/bridging-speed-and-science-how-arac-supports-fast-track-approvals</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68c4936e65c4abb322dbca6c</guid><category><![CDATA[Science Spotlight]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 12 Sep 2025 21:41:19 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0fa5cf_7373373108624dccb491f72f4221b5ca~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jessica Zdinak</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[ARAC Presenting at TSRC 2025]]></title><description><![CDATA[ARAC will be in Knoxville, TN for  Tobacco Science Research Conference (TSRC) ! The 78th annual conference – this year’s symposium theme is: Collective Progress &#38; Future Sustainability – Key Considerations, Shared Perspectives, and Common Ground. Location: Knoxville, TN  Dates: September 14-17 | Knoxville Convention Center REGISTER HERE:  http://tsrcinfo.com/ AGENDA:  https://lnkd.in/ejitwvRr CONNECT WITH ARAC:  https://lnkd.in/ep5WYMxy ARAC is proud to be a SPONSOR. Special THANKS to the...]]></description><link>https://www.aracscience.com/post/arac-presenting-at-tsrc-2025</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68b9b92639370c41bc22fb11</guid><category><![CDATA[EVENTS]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 04 Sep 2025 16:07:25 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0fa5cf_7380aba4ee084fb0a3cc6beb6a35b6fa~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jessica Zdinak</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[REPLAY | Virginia and North Carolina Wholesalers Association]]></title><description><![CDATA[Hosted by the Virginia Wholesalers &#38; Distributors Association (VWDA) in partnership with the North Carolina Wholesalers Association (NCWA), this meeting brought together wholesalers, distributors, manufacturers, and policy influencers for high-impact discussion and networking. CLICK HERE for AGENDA:  https://lnkd.in/ebmwrTfi Zdinak’s keynote featured “Using science &#38; research to survive with rapidly changing federal / state regulatory environments, consumer needs, and product-to-market...]]></description><link>https://www.aracscience.com/post/replay-virginia-and-north-carolina-wholesalers-association</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68b041800981b4981e121306</guid><category><![CDATA[Presentation REPLAYS]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 28 Aug 2025 11:46:09 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0fa5cf_6ac596d35ac14f39ba800d8a13df8b3d~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jessica Zdinak</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Why the FDA Rejected blu: The Missing Behavioral Science Evidence]]></title><description><![CDATA[Thank you to  2FIRSTS  for the opportunity to share Chief Research Officer,  Dr. Jessica Zdinak 's perspective on the  FDA ’s recent denial of blu’s PMTA application. In this exclusive interview, she highlights why robust behavioral science data, especially Module 6 and switching evidence, remains non-negotiable for regulatory success. Too often, the industry underestimates the rigor required to demonstrate real-world switching and behavioral impact. As this case illustrates, the absence of...]]></description><link>https://www.aracscience.com/post/why-the-fda-rejected-blu-the-missing-behavioral-science-evidence</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68a5bf1a5d6422f657758abc</guid><category><![CDATA[Science Spotlight]]></category><category><![CDATA[Publications]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 20 Aug 2025 12:28:41 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0fa5cf_9bd1a3ac509d4b7fbdd860b401994726~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_836,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jessica Zdinak</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[We’re Expanding Our Team – Apply Today!]]></title><description><![CDATA[Join Our Team at  Applied Research and Analysis Company (ARAC) ! We are HIRING for multiple roles to advance our MISSION: To empower clients through actionable, evidence-based solutions grounded in rigorous research and science. By fostering collaboration and making informed decisions, we aim to inspire trust and deliver meaningful impact. We’re seeking passionate, skilled professionals to help us uncover insights, design evidence-based solutions, and make a measurable impact. Please REPOST &#38;...]]></description><link>https://www.aracscience.com/post/we-re-expanding-our-team-apply-today</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68a4eff66aa481be4934a7e4</guid><category><![CDATA[ARAC Announcements]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 19 Aug 2025 21:43:38 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_57ec87b9fc7b4bf09a9d548d76b1aa48~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jessica Zdinak</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[GLAS Flavors Outperform Tobacco-Only Options in New Harm Reduction Study]]></title><description><![CDATA[New ARAC research shows: Flavors matter for harm reduction. In a 3-month study of 400 heavy smokers, GLAS flavored and menthol ENDS products  drove the most consistent reductions in smoking, cigarette dependence, and carbon monoxide exposure — outperforming tobacco-only options, including an FDA-authorized product. By combining traditional and person-centered analysis , our team uncovered not just the big trends, but the individual journeys  where meaningful public health change happens. Key...]]></description><link>https://www.aracscience.com/post/glas-flavors-outperform-tobacco-only-options-in-new-harm-reduction-study</link><guid isPermaLink="false">689f60790729bc3690b9dbc6</guid><category><![CDATA[Case Studies]]></category><category><![CDATA[Publications]]></category><pubDate>Sat, 16 Aug 2025 05:15:15 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0fa5cf_dcbf5cae845c46488eceedbcb738a37e~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jessica Zdinak</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Clinical Behavioral Study: Insights From the Field]]></title><description><![CDATA[Thank you  Nicotine Insider  for the opportunity to collaborate on this piece written by our very own Lead Clinical Researcher,  Elizabeth DeMartini  and Clinical Research Nurse  Amanda Cox . READ HERE]]></description><link>https://www.aracscience.com/post/clinical-behavioral-study-insights-from-the-field</link><guid isPermaLink="false">689cd8117fbeba54803cc6cb</guid><category><![CDATA[Case Studies]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 13 Aug 2025 18:23:14 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0fa5cf_ee54125512d74ffa8989a5344d6340a1~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_660,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jessica Zdinak</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[ What Juul’s FDA Authorization Tells Us About the Future of U.S. Tobacco Regulation ]]></title><description><![CDATA[In a major regulatory development,  FDA  has officially granted Marketing Granted Orders (MGOs) to five JUUL products — marking the first authorization of an ENDS product in over a year, and signaling a potential shift in how the agency evaluates harm reduction tools. To unpack the significance of this milestone,  Alan Zhao  at  2FIRSTS  sat down with ARAC’s leadership team —  Dr. Jessica Zdinak  (CEO &#38; Chief Research Officer) and  Samuel C. Hampsher-Monk  (VP, Global Regulatory Strategy &#38;...]]></description><link>https://www.aracscience.com/post/what-juul-s-fda-authorization-tells-us-about-the-future-of-u-s-tobacco-regulation</link><guid isPermaLink="false">687e28693d56cfe14de7b6a5</guid><category><![CDATA[Science Spotlight]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 21 Jul 2025 11:47:56 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0fa5cf_64c187d1c1e64d69ab0c7ad1347a428e~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_768,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jessica Zdinak</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[ARAC: Regulatory Strategy &#38; Science — Built for Change.]]></title><description><![CDATA[Regulatory uncertainty isn’t new — but it is manageable. With the right partner, you don’t just survive uncertainty — you leverage it. CONNECT with ARAC to move forward, smartly and strategically. Our team brings deep connections and valuable insights into the political and regulatory landscape, and our deep expertise in social, behavioral and statistical sciences helps guide you identify a compliant go-to-market strategy that works for you and your consumers. Commercial success means...]]></description><link>https://www.aracscience.com/post/arac-regulatory-strategy-science-built-for-change</link><guid isPermaLink="false">687a53986b1f1000f62dc275</guid><category><![CDATA[Science Spotlight]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 18 Jul 2025 14:02:21 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0fa5cf_9184978ef4f545579d0131eebad83c8c~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jessica Zdinak</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[FDA Validates the Role of Switching Studies]]></title><description><![CDATA[ Big news from  FDA ! The authorization of JUUL's tobacco and menthol-flavored e-cigarette products is not just a regulatory milestone — it’s a validation of something our team at ARAC has long championed: the critical role of SWITCHING STUDIES in demonstrating population-level benefit. As FDA noted in their press release, the law requires consideration of whether a product provides “benefits to adults who currently smoke cigarettes and completely switch to a potentially less harmful...]]></description><link>https://www.aracscience.com/post/fda-validates-the-role-of-switching-studies</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68794bd80902c615f4d15484</guid><category><![CDATA[Science Spotlight]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 17 Jul 2025 19:17:27 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0fa5cf_ab0d353337c8455c943e4eff377cd966~mv2.avif/v1/fit/w_1000,h_800,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jessica Zdinak</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>