Success Story: NIW Approved in Under 2 Months for Quantitative Epidemiology Research Supporting U.S. Livestock Disease Preparedness
On September 3rd, 2026, we received another EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) approval for a Research Associate in the Field of Quantitative Epidemiology (Approval Notice).
General Field: Quantitative Epidemiology
Position at the Time of Case Filing: Research Associate
Country of Origin: Rwanda
State of Residence at the Time of Filing: Kansas
Approval Notice Date: September 3rd, 2026
Processing Time: 1 month, 26 days (Premium Processing Requested)
Case Summary:
Protecting the U.S. livestock industry from foreign animal diseases requires more than detecting an outbreak after it occurs. Effective preparedness also depends on understanding how disease may spread through animal movement and determining which control measures can limit transmission without unnecessarily disrupting agricultural activity. The client’s work in quantitative epidemiology addresses this challenge by developing risk models that integrate longitudinal surveillance information, disease-introduction risks, and livestock movement dynamics.
When preparing the EB-2 NIW petition, North America Immigration Law Group (Chen Immigration Law Associates) demonstrated how the client’s research connected disease modeling with practical agricultural needs. His ongoing work involves developing predictive risk-evaluation tools and conducting comprehensive economic and health assessments for large-scale disease-control strategies. The petition successfully contextualized this research within broader federal priorities, demonstrating its direct impact on national biosecurity preparedness and the resilience of the U.S. food supply chain. Notably, research advancing his proposed endeavor had received support from the USDA National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program and the United States Agency for International Development’s Bureau for Resilience, Environment, and Food Security.
The client brought a combination of veterinary training, epidemiological expertise, and research experience to these efforts. His record included:
- A Ph.D. in veterinary medical sciences
- 5 peer-reviewed journal articles
- 61 citations to his published work
To contextualize the client's citation record, NAILG highlighted specific instances of independent researchers utilizing his epidemiological frameworks to evaluate disease burdens, economic impacts, and preventive strategies. Looking ahead, the client plans to develop advanced risk-assessment models to optimize outbreak response and manage foreign biological threats. By aligning his expertise in advanced simulation and data analysis with federal Critical and Emerging Technologies, the petition successfully demonstrated how his continued work safeguards U.S. agricultural resilience and economic stability.
The swift approval concluded an NIW case built around a clear practical objective: using quantitative epidemiology to help decision-makers anticipate livestock disease risks before they become larger agricultural and economic disruptions. Through a carefully supported petition, NAILG presented the client’s research record, federally supported work, and future modeling efforts as parts of a continuing contribution to U.S. animal-health preparedness and food security.