Case Summary     

We proudly celebrate the EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) approval of a Brazilian geneticist whose groundbreaking research in neuromuscular disease mechanisms and gene therapy is helping lay the foundation for next-generation treatments of devastating muscular disorders. With expertise in stem cell biology, RNA therapeutics, and satellite cell function, this scientist is actively addressing urgent national and global healthcare needs.

Rewriting the Code of Muscle Regeneration

The client’s proposed endeavor focuses on developing novel models of neuronal cells and applying gene therapy for the treatment of neuromuscular disorders. These disorders impose profound clinical and financial burdens, with no curative therapies currently available.

Through a series of preclinical studies and collaborative projects, she has:

• Identified cell-type-specific disease signatures
• Evaluated AAV-based gene therapies
• Investigated satellite cell behavior across multiple dystrophic conditions

Her work demonstrates how precise gene targeting can enhance muscle regeneration, restore function, and improve outcomes in affected patients.

A Track Record of Influence and Impact

The client has authored 15 peer-reviewed journal articles, 17 abstracts, and 3 book chapters, with 360 total citations and multiple highly cited works:

• A 2016 article in Stem Cells International has received 79 citations, placing it in the top 20% most cited for molecular biology and genetics that year.
• A 2019 study in Scientific Reports has received 75 citations, placing it in the top 10% most cited.
• A 2022 publication in Molecular Therapy – Methods & Clinical Development has received 24 citations, also ranking in the top 10% most cited.

Her articles appear in top-tier journals such as The FASEB Journal, PLOS One, and Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology. These venues consistently rank among the most influential in cell biology and genetics.

Endorsed by Experts in the Field

In a letter of recommendation, a senior researcher at a University emphasized:

“Her research into satellite cell behavior in neuromuscular diseases and muscle regeneration frameworks is foundational. These findings offer targeted therapeutic strategies that could shift treatment paradigms for DMD and CMD in the U.S.”

The letter also noted her expertise in comparative transcriptomics, CRISPR-adapted gene editing, and advanced AAV delivery systems, all of which contribute directly to the field’s growing therapeutic pipeline.

Aligned with U.S. Scientific and Health Priorities

Neuromuscular disorders collectively cost the U.S. healthcare system billions annually. DMD alone affects approximately 1 in 5,000 boys, with an annual cost of $50,000 per patient. MS and ALS add over $86 billion in total national burden. The client’s research directly addresses this challenge through biologically precise, scalable, and increasingly affordable gene therapy modalities.

Her work also supports several Critical and Emerging Technologies (CETs) outlined by the National Science and Technology Council, including:

• Advanced biotechnology
• Synthetic biology and nucleic acid engineering
• Therapeutic genome editing
• Viral delivery systems

Fast Approval Reflects Strong National Interest

Filed under premium processing on April 4, 2025, and approved on May 23, 2025, this petition met all three prongs of the Matter of Dhanasar framework:

• Substantial merit and national importance
• Well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Benefits outweigh the need for labor certification

We’re proud to support scientists like this client, whose work brings hope to families affected by genetic diseases and ensures the U.S. remains at the forefront of therapeutic innovation. Her story is a powerful example of how gene therapy is not just a technology—it’s a path toward healing.