Success Stories: EB-1A Approved for Biophysics Researcher Advancing RNA-Targeted Antivirals and Protein–Drug Interactions following RFE
Client’s Testimonial:
“My immigration journey began with the Chen Team in April 2023. I am deeply grateful for the comprehensive guidance and support they provided throughout the preparation of my EB1A application. I would like to extend particular appreciation to my attorney and her team, who demonstrated exceptional expertise in responding to the Request for Evidence (RFE). Their response was meticulously crafted, incorporating relevant case law and citations from the USCIS Policy Manual to effectively address the concerns raised. The Team skillfully emphasized that USCIS bears the responsibility to evaluate all evidence with appropriate nuance and to consider the collective weight of all supporting documentation when rendering their final decision.”
On August 16th, 2025, we received another EB-1A (Alien of Extraordinary Ability) approval for a Research Specialist II in the field of Biophysics (Approval Notice).
General Field: Biophysics
Position at the Time of Case Filing: Research Specialist II
Country of Origin: India
State of Residence at the Time of Filing: New Jersey
Approval Notice Date: August 16th, 2025
Processing Time: 3 months, 26 days (Premium Processing Requested)
Case Summary:
North America Immigration Law Group (NAILG) framed this EB-1A case around a record that couples high-resolution biophysical methods with drug-discovery insight to address oncology and infectious disease. The petition highlighted the client’s ongoing U.S. research role developing NMR-guided strategies and translational tools to improve diagnostics and therapeutics.
Research Focus and Contributions
- Cancer & inflammation pathways: Structural mapping of a disease-relevant protein–receptor complex and demonstration that small molecules disrupt the interaction, informing anti-metastatic strategies.
- Host–virus regulation: Discovery work on hnRNP-mediated alternative splicing that impacts HIV-1
- Antiviral therapeutics: Identification of an RNA-targeted small molecule that represses enterovirus 71 replication by stabilizing a translation-repressive complex, establishing a paradigm for modulating structured viral RNA.
- COVID-19 mechanisms: Conserved SARS-CoV-2 RNA elements and host-signaling effects that control viral translation, pointing to new intervention points.
Research Impact and Metrics
- Peer-Reviewed Publications: 17 journal articles (including first-authored work).
- Citations: 305 independent citations by international teams.
- Peer-Review Service: 40+ completed manuscript reviews; service on multiple editorial boards.
Demonstrating Extraordinary Ability
NAILG met the EB-1A criteria by documenting: judging the work of others (dozens of invited peer-review assignments and editorial-board roles); original contributions of major significance (structural models and RNA-targeted antiviral mechanisms adopted and extended by independent groups worldwide); and authorship in selective venues with objective indicators of influence (multiple highly cited works relative to year-and-field baselines) and contributed significantly to operational support, user services, and the strategic expansion of NMR core facilities at multiple academic institutions.
Well Positioned for Continued Innovation
The record shows advanced training, sustained U.S. research employment, and a cohesive plan to expand NMR-guided discovery, structural modeling of disease complexes, and RNA-focused antivirals, evidence of the capacity to keep producing results with U.S. public-health and economic benefit. Expert recommendation letters corroborate broad reliance on these methods and findings.
Approval and Outcome
After an RFE early in adjudication, USCIS approved the petition in 3 months and 26 days. NAILG is proud to have guided this EB-1A case to approval and looks forward to the client’s continued contributions to cancer targets, antiviral design, and biomedical innovation in the United States.