Case Summary:     

Some researchers illuminate the unknown. Others design the very tools that let science see. One such innovator—an expert in fluorescence microscopy—has recently secured an EB1A (Alien of Extraordinary Ability) approval, affirming what many in the field already knew: her contributions are extraordinary.

Hailing from China and currently serving as a Research Assistant Professor in the United States, this accomplished scientist has become a recognized authority in the design and advancement of next-generation microscopy technologies. Her work focuses on single-molecule localization and light-sheet microscopy, which are foundational for pushing the boundaries of biological and medical imaging.

At the heart of her success lies an impressive body of peer-reviewed research. With 17 publications in respected scientific venues—including Science, Nature Methods, and Nature Communications—she has built a career on technical precision and novel instrument development. Her published work has garnered 847 citations, with multiple papers ranked among the top 10% most cited in biology and biochemistry for their year of publication. These numbers reflect more than academic recognition—they signal that her discoveries are tools used daily in laboratories across the globe.

The depth of her impact also emerges through her role as a peer reviewer. Journals such as Optica, Photonics Research, and Communications Biology have sought her expertise to vet the work of fellow scientists, entrusting her with the academic integrity of some of the field’s most important publications. She has reviewed more than 10 manuscripts to date.

Her work has also drawn praise from independent experts. One recommender wrote,

 “Her method for three-dimensional single-molecule localization using a phase-retrieved pupil function is elegant, efficient, and, most importantly, widely usable. It is the kind of breakthrough that doesn’t just advance the field—it becomes embedded in its future.”

Despite receiving a request for additional evidence midway through the process, her petition ultimately prevailed with compelling documentation of her contributions and influence. The RFE was addressed with a targeted, evidence-driven response that reinforced her standing as one of the leading minds in fluorescence microscopy.

Beyond publishing and reviewing, her research has earned global traction. Scientists from over 40 countries, spanning institutions like Stanford University, Max Planck Institute, and Seoul National University, have cited her work to guide their own. This kind of influence is rare and meaningful.

The strength of her EB1A petition lay in more than just accolades. It told the story of a scientist who doesn’t merely study biology—she equips the world to see it better. Whether developing a hyperspectral line-scanning microscope to track quantum dots or devising algorithms to correct sensor noise in sCMOS cameras, her work advances both fundamental science and its real-world applications.

With this EB1A approval, she now continues her research in the U.S., working on advanced microscopy platforms to study metabolic pathways and protein interactions. Her innovations will no doubt keep sharpening the focus of scientific inquiry.

This approval marks another milestone in NAILG’s ongoing mission to support the world’s top talent in achieving their immigration goals. We are proud to have helped spotlight this scientist’s extraordinary vision and contributions.