Success Story: After an RFE, NIW Approved for Postdoc Fellow in Improving Cancer Treatment Strategies
Client’s Testimonial:
“Thanks so much for your help.”
On November 22nd, 2025, we received another EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) approval for a Postdoc Fellow in the Field of Cancer System Biology (Approval Notice).
General Field: Cancer System Biology
Position at the Time of Case Filing: Postdoc Fellow
Country of Origin: China
Approval Notice Date: November 22nd, 2025
Processing Time: 1 year, 5 months, 1 day
Case Summary:
USCIS approved this NIW petition for a cancer systems biology researcher whose work centers on improving cancer treatment strategies through mathematical and computational modeling. The case was filed on June 21, 2024, received an RFE on August 27, 2025, and was ultimately approved on November 22, 2025. When NAILG was preparing the petition, one supporting expert captured the value of his work by noting that “[Client]’s research efforts have contributed to the advancement of precision medicine and protein-targeting approaches in cancer therapy, providing the foundation for improved outcomes for patients.”
Substantial Merit and National Importance
The proposed endeavor focuses on developing models that optimize cancer treatment strategies to extend survival time, improve treatment efficacy, and enhance patient quality of life. These models help address persistent challenges in oncology, including treatment resistance and variability in therapeutic response. Because cancer continues to impose major health and economic burdens in the United States, NAILG emphasized how advanced computational tools contribute to more effective clinical planning. His work’s national importance is further underscored by the fact that it has been supported by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), which funds research aimed at advancing public health.
Research Contributions and Scholarly Record
Our client has documented the results of his research in 10 peer-reviewed journal articles, as well as 4 conference papers and one first-authored book chapter. Collectively, his publications have received 342 citations, showing that independent researchers rely on his computational methods and biological insights. These outputs include work on modeling endocrine therapies, exploring treatment-resistant breast cancer, examining hypermutation-driven drug resistance, and improving predictive modeling frameworks. NAILG presented these contributions as clear evidence that he has already made progress toward his proposed endeavor.
Indicators of Expertise
His expertise is further reflected in his service as a peer reviewer. Our client has completed at least 30 reviews for journals across computational biology, oncology, and biomedical engineering, an activity typically reserved for researchers whose judgment is trusted by editors to evaluate the scientific rigor of submissions. This service demonstrated to USCIS that he is recognized by his field as a knowledgeable contributor who helps maintain scientific standards.
NIW Approval
Through a well-documented record of publications, citations, and peer-review activity, NAILG demonstrated that our client satisfies all three prongs of the Dhanasar framework. The RFE was resolved with updated information, and the case was approved shortly thereafter.