Assuming each reference reflects a paragraph then put the cursor in the paragraph and the following will apply built in character styles top the relative parts of the paragraph.
Code:
Sub FormatReferencePara()
Dim oRng As Range
Dim oStart As Range
Set oStart = Selection.Range
Set oRng = Selection.Paragraphs(1).Range
oRng.Collapse 1
oRng.MoveEndUntil Chr(44)
oRng.End = oRng.End + 1
oRng.Style = "Strong"
oRng.Collapse 0
oRng.MoveEndUntil Chr(44)
oRng.End = oRng.End + 1
oRng.Style = "Subtle Emphasis"
oStart.Select
lbl_Exit:
Set oRng = Nothing
Set oStart = Nothing
Exit Sub
End Sub