Case Summary:

“[The client] has focused on improving sustainability practices with civil and construction materials. This focus is highly valuable given its implications for the environment…[The client’s] work has given his fellow researchers a foundation on which to continue to explore the use of fly ash in other materials for construction and civil engineering purposes…[Client] has proven himself to be a true pioneer on this topic, and thus an invaluable member of his field.”

“[The client]has extended far beyond the walls of the laboratory and indeed has implications for the nation as a whole…Thus, [the client’s] research has significant benefit toward efforts to decrease the United States’ total carbon dioxide emissions and pollution. It is clear from his area of study coupled with the quality of his research that [the client]has significant value to the United States and his continued work must be supported.”

These are two passages from letters of support furnished by our client that he was able to obtain from experts in his field of endeavor. Our client hails from Iraq and holds a Ph.D. Civil Engineering. Employed as an assistant professor in materials engineering, he has built a formidable reputation over years. So, when he approached us to help him with his NIW (National Interest Waiver) petition, we moved quickly to countersign the retainer agreement after the initial formality of background check was completed.

The second step in the process was to employ experts to put together a convincing case in his favor. So we got digging and uncovered that as an expert in the field of materials engineering, his proposed endeavor is to continue his research on improving the properties of fly ash-based geopolymer concrete and Portland cement concrete by incorporating MWCNTs to promote wider use of sustainable concrete. And we found that his work is integral to efforts to reduce CO2 emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change, to which cement production is a sizable contributor. His work discussed in this petition letter provides an insight into the tools needed to reduce the CO2 emissions associated with cement production, and this is an indispensable part of efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, especially in nations like the United States, where use of cement is widespread.

On the other hand, he has completed at least 25 peer reviews to date. Since only the most highly esteemed researchers in the field are invited to evaluate the work of their peers, especially in authoritative journals, it is clear that he is seen as very knowledgeable in the field. His research has resulted in 17 peer-reviewed journal articles (10 of them first-authored), 6 peer-reviewed conference articles (4 of them first-authored), 1 patent application, and 2 conference abstracts. Not only has he successfully completed and published the results of his research in the field, but his research has also gone on to influence his peers. That is, these publications have been cited a total of 309 times according to Google Scholar, thereby demonstrating that these publications are widely recognized and relied upon in the field of materials engineering.

At the same time, the United States Department of Energy’s Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, and Office of Biological and Environmental Research funded this work. This funding testifies to the national significance of his work and its importance to American energy policy.

All of this information was enough to convince the adjudicating authorities of the value that he added to the United States soil, leading his case to certain victory. We are glad to have had the opportunity to represent him in this case.