Success Stories: From RFE to Approval: EB-1A Success for a Research Associate in the field of Biology with Premium Processing
Client’s Testimonial:
“It has been a very professional and pleasant experience working with the team.”
On October 16th, 2025, we received another EB-1A (Alien of Extraordinary Ability) Approval for a Research Associate in the Field of Biology (Approval Notice).
General Field: Biology
Position at the Time of Case Filing: Research Associate
Country of Birth: China
State of Residence at the Time of Filing: California
Approval Notice Date: October 16th, 2025
Processing Time: 3 months and 15 days (Premium Processing Requested)
Case Summary:
Our law firm is proud to announce the EB1A (Alien of Extraordinary Ability) approval for a research associate in the field of biology with a Ph.D. in stem cell biology. The I-140 petition, filed under premium processing, received an RFE but was approved within just over three months, reflecting both the strength of the case and the recognized significance of the client’s scientific work.
The petition included six recommendation letters. One distinguished professor captured the essence of the client’s impact:
“By exploring the intersection of genetics, virology, and neurology, [The Client]’s work provides a foundation for improved treatments and more effective public health strategies.”
Groundbreaking Research Contributions:
One of the client’s most widely recognized contributions involves investigating how the ApoE4 gene, a known risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, affects the severity of COVID-19 infection in the brain. Using advanced stem cell–derived neural models, the client revealed that the presence of ApoE4 heightens susceptibility to viral infection in neurons and astrocytes, leading to greater neuroinflammation and cellular damage. This research also identified compound Q34 as a potential inhibitor of viral entry and confirmed the efficacy of remdesivir in protecting neural tissue—findings that have informed global research on COVID-19’s neurological impact
Our petition highlighted the client’s impressive research portfolio:
The client has authored 17 peer-reviewed journal articles (2 as first author and 1 as co-first author) and 1 co-first-authored book chapter, all published in the field’s most prestigious venues. The client’s research has accumulated 775 citations from scholars across 34 countries. This extraordinary citation rate, far exceeding field averages, objectively confirms the transformative impact of the client’s contributions. Moreover, the client has conducted 22 peer reviews for distinguished journals.
Conclusion:
We are honored to have supported this researcher through the complexities of EB-1A adjudication. The approval confirms what the scientific community already knows: the client represents precisely the caliber of talent that strengthens America’s capacity to address its most pressing health challenges. We extend our sincere best wishes for the client’s continued success in advancing discoveries that will benefit healthcare outcomes both nationally and globally.