Success Stories: EB-2 NIW Approval for Researcher Tackling Transportation Equity and Sustainability
Client’s Testimonial:
“Thanks for your work.”
On September 15th, 2025, we received another EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) approval for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Field of Transportation Planning (Approval Notice).
General Field: Transportation Planning
Position at the Time of Case Filing: Postdoctoral Research Associate
Country of Origin: China
Approval Notice Date: September 15th, 2025
Processing Time: 6 months, 9 days
Case Summary:
With NAILG’s guidance, a transportation planning researcher has secured EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) approval for his groundbreaking work on advancing sustainable and equitable transportation systems. Holding a Ph.D. in urban and regional planning, he has devoted his career to applying advanced deep learning and machine learning techniques to understand how urban environment influences people’s travel decisions.
His research addresses urgent challenges in urban planning by revealing the ways in which city design and transportation infrastructure influence sustainability, public health, and equity. By developing evidence-based strategies that inform land use and transportation policies, he contributes to reducing the environmental impact of urban spaces while improving residents’ quality of life. His findings also highlight the inequities embedded in transportation systems, showing how barriers in access limit essential services such as education and healthcare for low-income populations. In this way, his work offers concrete strategies to close these gaps and create fairer, healthier, and more sustainable communities.
The significance of his research has been recognized through funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation, reflecting its value to national priorities. His professional record demonstrates both productivity and recognition in the field: 19 peer-reviewed journal articles and 617 citations to date. Beyond this, he has completed at least 111 peer reviews, further underscoring his standing as a trusted expert in transportation planning.
Peers have endorsed the impact of his contributions. As one expert explained, “Beyond environmental benefits, his research highlights the transportation challenges faced by low-income populations and, by revealing links between income level and access to sustainable travel options, offers strategies to close this gap.”
The approval of this NIW petition recognizes both the strength of his achievements and the importance of his proposed endeavor. With this success, he is now well-positioned to continue advancing transportation research that supports sustainability, health, and equity in U.S. communities. NAILG is proud to have guided this case to approval and looks forward to his continued contributions to the field.