Success Stories: Breakthrough Senior Scientist Earns NIW and EB1A Approvals
Client’s Testimonial:
“When I look back on my painful experience applying for NIW and EB1A, I cannot hold back my tears. It wasn’t even this hard when I applied to Stanford for my postdoc.
I want to thank my attorney. Without him, I could never have completed the process. To his credit, he was always patient, professional, and understanding, offering support and encouragement. I like my attorney and respect him, sincerely appreciate him very much.”
On February 2nd, 2024, and June 16th, 2025, we received another EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) and EB1A (Alien of Extraordinary Ability) approvals for a Senior Scientist in the field of Biotechnology (Approval Notice).
General Field: Biotechnology
Position at the Time of Case Filing: Senior Scientist
Country of Origin: China
Country of Residence at the Time of Filing: China
Approval Notice Date: February 2nd, 2024 (NIW); June 16th, 2025 (EB1A)
Processing Time: 3 months, 13 days (NIW) (Premium Processing Requested); 12 months, 18 days (EB1A)
Case Summary:
We are delighted to celebrate the dual success of a senior scientist whose work is advancing stem cell biology, regenerative medicine, and cancer therapeutics. At the time of filing, the client was leading oncology projects at a U.S.‑based biotech company, focusing on organoid platforms and high‑throughput screening to uncover new immuno‑oncology drug candidates.
Innovative Research Driving Cancer Treatment
The petitioner’s research investigates the mechanisms of stemness in cancer stem cells and the role of necroptosis in disease progression. Using three‑dimensional organoid models and epigenetic profiling, she identifies therapeutic targets that can curb tumor growth and enhance immune responses. Her findings contribute to personalized cancer medicine and offer new directions for drug development.
Recognized Expertise and Research Impact
Key indicators presented in both petitions include:
- 9 peer‑reviewed journal articles and patent disclosures in top venues such as Molecular Cell and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
- More than 500 total citations, with five papers ranked among the top 10 percent most cited in Molecular Biology & Genetics for their publication years.
- At least 7 completed peer reviews for high‑impact journals, confirming her standing as a trusted judge of cutting‑edge science.
Independent Expert Endorsements
The petition was supported by letters from academic leaders in epigenetics and molecular biology.
One expert highlighted the petitioner’s impact on developmental biology:
“[Client] has consistently addressed gaps in our current understanding of cancer, stem cells, and epigenetics. The field of biotechnology has certainly benefited from her research.”
This endorsement reinforced the scientific value and biomedical relevance of the petitioner’s work.
Strategic Petition Preparation and Outcomes
For the NIW filing, we demonstrated the national importance of improving cancer therapies and highlighted the client’s NIH‑funded research and industry collaborations. An upgrade to premium processing led to approval within about 100 days despite standard NIW timelines.
The subsequent EB1A petition emphasized the petitioner’s sustained citation record, highly cited publications, peer-reviewed service, and original contributions of major significance. USCIS approved the petition after a comprehensive merits review, confirming that she is among the small percentage at the top of her field.
These approvals enable the client to continue pioneering advanced stem cell and immuno‑oncology platforms in the United States, accelerating breakthroughs that improve patient outcomes. We are proud to have supported this exceptional scientist on her immigration journey and look forward to her ongoing contributions to U.S. biomedical innovation.