Success Stories: Iranian Graduate Teaching Assistant Secures NIW Approval After RFE for Research on Worker Training and Allocation Models
Client’s Testimonial:
“I am so happy to hear about my I-140 NIW approval, and I want to sincerely thank you and your team for your excellent support throughout this process.”
On August 21st, 2025, we received another EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) approval for a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the field of Operations Research (Approval Notice).
General Field: Operations Research
Position at the Time of Case Filing: Graduate Teaching Assistant
Country of Origin: Iran
State of Residence at the Time of Filing: South Carolina
Approval Notice Date: August 21st, 2025
Processing Time: 8 months, 12 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 a graduate teaching assistant from Iran. The client’s research focuses on developing dynamic models for worker training and allocation in multitasking manufacturing environments to enhance operational efficiency, reduce cognitive workload, and improve worker well-being. At the time of filing, she was conducting research in the United States and had already built a strong record of publications, citations, and professional recognition that supported her NIW petition.
Research with Substantial Merit and National Importance
The client’s proposed endeavor centers on creating advanced mathematical and optimization models that help companies design more effective worker training and task allocation strategies. These models incorporate human factors such as fatigue, burnout, and decision-making styles, which are often overlooked in conventional scheduling systems. By integrating these elements, her research provides solutions that can improve productivity and reduce stress in industries such as manufacturing and healthcare.
Her work carries broad national importance because workplace stress and burnout are major concerns in the U.S., particularly in healthcare, where emotional exhaustion has been identified as a widespread challenge. By designing systems that account for human well-being, her contributions align with national priorities to ensure healthier workforces, reduce costs, and strengthen productivity in key industries.
Well Positioned to Advance the Proposed Endeavor
The client holds an advanced degree in industrial engineering and has authored 5 peer-reviewed journal articles (3 first-authored), 1 first-authored peer-reviewed conference paper, and additional contributions across multiple projects. Her work has been cited 38 times by independent researchers around the world, with one of her articles ranking among the top 20 percent most cited in engineering for its year of publication.
Her publications appear in respected journals such as International Journal of Systems Science: Operations & Logistics and International Journal of Services and Operations Management. Her innovative approaches, such as applying data envelopment analysis to optimize operating room efficiency and developing sustainable drone-based blood delivery systems, have been directly cited by researchers across healthcare, education, and logistics. This consistent recognition shows her influence on the work of others and establishes her as well-positioned to continue advancing her proposed endeavor.
NIW Approval and Outlook
The I-140 NIW petition was filed on December 9, 2024, with premium processing. USCIS issued an RFE on December 19, 2024, and the case was approved on August 21, 2025. The approval recognized her publication record, citation impact, and the national importance of her work in advancing worker training and allocation systems.
With NAILG’s guidance, the client successfully secured NIW approval and is now well-positioned to continue her innovative research in the United States. Her contributions promise to improve efficiency and sustainability in both manufacturing and healthcare, supporting national goals for workforce resilience and technological advancement.