Success Stories: Indian Assistant Project Scientist Secures NIW Approval for Advancing Neurotechnology Research
Client’s Testimonial:
“I had initially signed up to apply for EB-1A but found myself in a situation where my 6-year H-1B limit was expiring and would need quick I-140 approval to be able to extend and continue my research. I informed Chen Associates of my plan to apply for EB-2/NIW close to my deadline, but they were positive and encouraging. They worked with me to quickly put together what was needed, without the bottleneck of letters, and submit asap. Everything was done in a timely and professional manner, and with the urgency of the situation in mind. The approval extends my options for a smooth EB-1A filing in the future, for which, of course, I’m going to retain Chen as well.”
On September 15th, 2025, we received another EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) approval for a Assistant Project Scientist in the field of Bioengineering (Approval Notice).
General Field: Bioengineering
Position at the Time of Filing: Assistant Project Scientist
Country of Origin: India
State of Residence at the Time of Filing: California
Approval Notice Date: September 15th, 2025
Processing Time: 1 month, 25 days (Premium Processing Requested)
Case Summary:
We are pleased to share the success story of an EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) approval granted to an assistant project scientist from India. The client’s research centers on developing next-generation optical and computational tools to study how brain regions communicate to generate perception and behavior. At the time of filing, he was employed in the United States, with a strong record of publications, citations, and service as a peer reviewer and editorial board member. These achievements demonstrated his standing as a well-qualified candidate for NIW approval.
Research with Substantial Merit and National Importance
The client’s proposed endeavor aims to advance neurotechnology by combining cutting-edge optoelectronic hardware and real-time computational approaches. His work includes building two-photon microscopes for large-scale brain imaging, developing optical stimulation techniques with single-cell precision, and creating software pipelines for analyzing neural activity. By applying these tools to investigate brain communication, his research supports the development of brain-machine interfaces and therapeutic strategies for conditions such as vision loss and motor disorders.
This work carries substantial merit and national importance because neurological conditions affect tens of millions of Americans and impose an economic burden of hundreds of billions annually. His contributions align with the goals of the NIH BRAIN Initiative, which prioritizes novel imaging technologies and new methods for treating brain disorders. By providing powerful tools to study and influence brain function, his research promotes public health, advances therapeutic development, and supports U.S. leadership in neuroscience and neurotechnology.
Well Positioned to Advance the Proposed Endeavor
The client holds a Ph.D. in bioengineering and has documented an impressive record of scholarly contributions. He has authored 9 peer-reviewed journal articles (4 first- or co-first-authored, plus 1 accepted), 1 conference paper, 5 abstracts, 4 preprints, and 1 book chapter. His work has been published in leading journals such as Neuron, Current Biology, Communications Biology, and the Journal of Neuroscience. Collectively, his research has been cited 374 times, with several articles ranked among the top 1 percent, 10 percent, and 20 percent most cited in neuroscience for their publication years.
In addition to his publications, he has completed at least 16 peer reviews for journals including Journal of Neurophysiology, Journal of Neuroscience, and Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience. He also serves as a review editor for Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience and Frontiers in Neuroscience. These roles reflect his recognized expertise and underscore his ability to guide the direction of research in his field.
NIW Approval and Outlook
The I-140 NIW petition was filed on July 21, 2025, with premium processing, and approved on September 15, 2025. USCIS acknowledged his publication record, high citation impact, peer review service, and the national importance of his proposed endeavor as sufficient to meet the NIW standard.
With NAILG’s guidance, the client successfully secured NIW approval and can now continue his innovative work in the United States. His ongoing research into neurotechnology promises to deliver powerful tools for studying the brain, improving therapies for neurological disorders, and strengthening America’s role as a leader in biomedical innovation.