Success Stories: NAILG Secured EB1A for R&D Engineer in Environmental Engineering - Second Approval Without RFE

Case Summary:     

With a long-standing commitment to environmental sustainability and engineering innovation, an engineer has emerged as a globally recognized leader in the field of environmental engineering. Her sophisticated investigations into bioaugmentation, membrane technology, and desalination have significantly advanced real-world solutions for clean water systems and energy-efficient waste treatment.

Following a prior National Interest Waiver (NIW) approval secured with the support of the North America Immigration Law Group (NAILG), our client once again partnered with us to file her EB1A petition. In both cases, approved without a Request for Evidence (RFE), NAILG’s in-depth understanding of her scientific profile and tailored petition strategy were crucial in demonstrating her extraordinary ability.

The client’s research has received substantial recognition and financial backing from leading institutions, including the International Program of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (MOST) and the Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC). Her work is particularly well-known for improving the efficiency of anaerobic digestion processes by enhancing direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) through the use of semi-conductive iron oxides (CIOs).

Her contributions have led to:

• 18 peer-reviewed journal articles, including 7 first- and co-first-authored;
• 574 citations across 56 countries, placing her in the top 1% of most cited authors in environmental engineering over the past nine years;
• 11 completed peer reviews, a reflection of her status as a trusted scholar in the field.

She has also made original contributions of major significance, such as characterizing the effects and mechanisms of DIET on methanogenesis, exploring microbial coal-to-methane conversion, and optimizing membrane bioreactor (MBR) protocols for real-world applications.

As one recommender put it:

“In conclusion, [client] is conducting groundbreaking research with real-world impact in advancing membrane cleaning for RO systems. Furthermore, her exceptional capabilities and prolific background as an environmental engineer make it crystal clear that she is a leading expert in the field.”

With two successful approvals, NIW and now EB1A, our client’s immigration journey is a model of scientific excellence paired with NAILG’s proven legal strategy. Her continued research will contribute meaningfully to the U.S. and global efforts in water sustainability, waste treatment innovation, and environmental protection.