Success Stories: Precision in Molecular Discovery: EB1A Approval for a Chemical Biology Expert

Client’s Testimonial:

“Thank you so much for all your help! It’s such a great experience to work with you.”

On July 5^th, 2025, we received another EB-1A (Alien of Extraordinary Ability) approval for a Scientist in the Field of Chemical Biology (Approval Notice).

General Field: Chemical Biology

Position at the Time of Case Filing: Scientist

Country of Origin: China

State of Residence at the time of filing: Massachusetts

Approval Notice Date: July 5^th, 2025

Processing Time: 14 months, 25 days (Premium Processing Requested)

Case Summary:

At the heart of modern drug development lies an intricate dance between molecules—an interplay only understood by the most perceptive minds in science. One such scientist, an accomplished chemical biologist focused on developing highly selective inhibitors for therapeutic use, recently secured approval for the EB1A (Alien of Extraordinary Ability) immigrant visa classification. The approval followed a detailed review, including a Request for Evidence (RFE), ultimately confirming that her work represents exceptional scientific achievement in the realm of medicinal chemistry.

Advancing Therapeutic Innovation through Structure-Based Drug Design

The client’s research has centered on understanding and exploiting subtle structural nuances in molecular binding sites to develop targeted treatments with minimized off-target effects. Her most notable contributions involve the design of selective chemical probes. These discoveries help address key challenges in the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases by offering more selective and effective therapeutic strategies.

One of her major accomplishments includes creating novel inhibitors that not only exhibit high binding affinity and selectivity but also demonstrate significant activity in cell-based inflammatory disease models. These molecules have shown therapeutic potential for conditions where current treatments are limited or ineffective.

Scientific Impact Recognized Globally

With 11 peer-reviewed publications and 1 book chapter, her scholarly record spans elite journals such as Nature Communications, Angewandte Chemie International Edition, and Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. Her work has earned 288 citations, placing her in the top 1% of most highly cited authors in chemistry over the past six years, according to OpenAlex.

Her contributions are not only recognized in the United States but are also cited by researchers across 22 countries, reflecting her influence on a truly international scale. These citations support diverse advancements, from structure-function relationships to drug design strategies for inflammatory diseases and cancer.

Peer Recognition and Leadership in the Field

The client has conducted at least 37 peer reviews for major journals in her field, including Cells, Cancers, Molecules, and Bioorganic Chemistry. This level of service underscores her expertise and the trust placed in her to uphold scientific rigor in medicinal chemistry.

A compelling summary of her significance comes from one of her independent recommenders:

“Her work enables targeted intervention in diseases where existing treatments fall short. These contributions are not just academically notable—they are laying the groundwork for future therapeutic breakthroughs.”

This endorsement aligns with other expert testimonials, including multiple letters from researchers at globally ranked institutions who have independently cited and applied her work.

Overcoming RFE with Strong Evidence of Original Contributions

After receiving an RFE in early 2025, our legal team at NAILG carefully assembled a robust response. We highlighted her:

Authorship of groundbreaking papers in top-tier journals,
Record of citations far exceeding field averages,
Global use of her findings in structure-based inhibitor design,
Receipt of funding from prestigious bodies, including NIH, NSF, AHA, and ACS.

The petition documented that at least six of her articles ranked among the top 10% most-cited in Chemistry for their year of publication. This quantitative evidence, paired with qualitative endorsements, confirmed her status as a scientist of extraordinary ability.

Final Result and Outlook

Approved just a few months after the RFE response, the EB1A petition reflects both the strength of the petitioner’s scientific record and the strategic legal work by NAILG. This approval not only affirms her position at the pinnacle of her discipline but also opens new avenues for her continued research in the United States—research that promises to impact the fields of oncology, hepatology, and precision medicine.

We are proud to have guided her through this journey and look forward to seeing how her work shapes the future of therapeutic development.

North America Immigration Law Group (Chen Immigration Law Associates) is a U.S. immigration law firm dedicated to representing corporations, research institutions, and individuals from all 50 U.S. states regarding I-140 immigration petitions. We specialize in employment-based immigration petition and have a proven record of high success rate for the categories of: EB2-NIW (National Interest Waiver), EB1-A (Alien of Extraordinary Ability), EB1-B (Outstanding Researcher/Professor) and O-1 (Alien of Extraordinary Ability).

Our Ten Thousand I-140 Approvals Provide Unprecedented Insight into the USCIS Adjudication Trend

With more than 58,000 EB-1A, EB-1B, EB-2 NIW and O-1 cases approved, we have first hand information on the manner in which the USCIS adjudicate I-140 cases. As the USCIS has constantly changed its adjudication standards for the EB-1A, EB-1B and EB-2 NIW categories, our firm's huge database of successful cases gives you unprecedented insight to USCIS adjudication trends. We carefully analyze the data for all of our cases and apply the results of our analyses toward giving our clients up-to-date advice and adapting our strategies such that we remain on par with the ever-shifting landscape of immigration law in the U.S. With us, you will always have access to important updates, strategies, and information so that you can make the most informed decisions about your case.

We Have Helped Hundreds and Thousands of Clients with Credentials and Backgrounds Similar to Yours

With our exceedingly large number of successful petitions, no matter what credentials you have, no matter your background and field of expertise, no matter your visa status or nationality, chances are we have helped hundreds or even thousands of clients just like you. Our clients are usually impressed with how well we understand their research and work. Our insight and understanding stems from the fact that we have handled many cases with elements similar to yours already, and this helps us devise the best strategies for each individual petition.

Vast Majority of Clients Came to Us Because of Referrals

For years, our firm has attracted new clients based solely on word of mouth, recommendations, and the positive collaboration experiences shared with them by their friends and family. We take pride in our reputation and work hard to ensure that we provide a green card application experience that our clients are happy to share with their friends and colleagues. That is how our cumulative total of approved cases grew from 600 in 2013 to over 58,000 in 2025.