Case Summary:     

We are thrilled to announce the approval of an I-140 National Interest Waiver (NIW) petition for a distinguished Ph.D. holder in biotechnology whose work addresses some of the most pressing challenges in cancer treatment and precision medicine. The petition was filed in May 2024 and approved in February 2025, recognizing the national significance of her scientific research.

Enhancing Cancer Treatment Through Targeted Therapeutics

The petitioner is an expert in biotechnology, with a focused research program dedicated to developing novel combinatorial chemotherapies, immunotherapies, and plasma-based prognostic markers. Her work enables more accurate prediction of patient responses and provides a deeper understanding of tumor behavior. These innovations are designed to enhance therapeutic efficacy, reduce treatment resistance, and support more personalized approaches to cancer care.

Currently conducting research at a U.S.-based institution, the petitioner continues to investigate cancer signaling pathways and immune checkpoint regulation, contributing to the next generation of targeted cancer therapies and improving clinical outcomes in oncology.

Research Output and Scientific Recognition

The petition showcased the petitioner’s scientific productivity and peer recognition, including:

• 6 peer-reviewed journal articles (2 of them first-authored);
• 1 preprint and 2 book chapters;
• 92 total citations according to Google Scholar;
• At least 35 completed peer reviews for prominent journals in biotechnology and oncology.

Her research has been cited by scholars and practitioners across continents, indicating a growing global interest in her techniques and findings, particularly for improving predictive modeling and treatment response in aggressive cancers.

Funding from Prominent Scientific Institutions

The petitioner’s work has been supported by major international and national research agencies, including:

• The National Institutes of Health (NIH);
• The National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC);
• The Chinese National Key R&D Program;
• Checkmate Pharmaceuticals.

This broad-based funding reflects the relevance of her research to both U.S. and global biomedical priorities, particularly in advancing innovation in cancer therapy and diagnostics.

Endorsed by Experts in the Field

Two letters of recommendation from recognized leaders in biotechnology and cancer research were included in the petition. These letters highlighted her unique contributions to precision medicine and underscored the national interest in continuing her work.

“There is thus no doubt that [Client] shall continue to produce additional valuable research, both driving progress in the field and bringing immense benefits to national and international efforts in cancer and disease treatment.”

NIW Approval and Outlook

The approval of this NIW petition within just over nine months is a testament to the petitioner’s well-documented qualifications and the critical importance of her research. Through a compelling presentation of her publication record, peer review history, and funded research, we successfully demonstrated that her work meets the standard for national interest consideration.

NAILG is honored to have supported this exceptional scientist and is confident that her research will continue to shape the future of cancer therapeutics, biomedical diagnostics, and precision medicine in the United States.