Case Summary:                 

A growing body of evidence links aerosol exposure, from wildfire smoke to e-cigarette emissions, with serious health risks. Addressing these public health threats requires highly specialized research, and one expert in the field of air quality is doing just that. With NAILG’s strategic guidance, this researcher recently secured approval for her EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) petition, affirming the importance of her work to national health and environmental resilience.

Her proposed endeavor centers on employing interdisciplinary techniques to evaluate the sources and effects of airborne pollutants. Her projects include the characterization of COVID-19-related respiratory particles, assessment of e-cigarette aerosols, and analysis of wildfire smoke. Through this work, she equips public health officials with critical data to design protective policies and mitigate risks to vulnerable populations.

Scientific Impact and Public Health Relevance

This researcher’s work stands at the intersection of environmental science, aerosol exposure, and human health. By characterizing aerosols and evaluating human exposures to particles from sources such as e-cigarette emissions, COVID‑19-related respiratory aerosols, and wildfire smoke, she provides critical insights to inform public health guidelines and reduce risks associated with airborne pollutants. Her insights are especially timely, providing valuable information on the effectiveness of face coverings in mitigating COVID‑19‑related respiratory particles, while also addressing health risks from worsening wildfire smoke that now affects millions annually across the U.S.

Academic Record and Recognition

The value of her work has been recognized through funding from prominent institutions such as the Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program (TRDRP) and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). At the time the NIW petition was filed, her scholarly contributions include 12 peer-reviewed journal articles (4 of them first-authored and 1 co-first-authored), 1 accepted co-first-authored journal article, and 1 first-authored book chapter. Collectively, her publications have garnered 368 citations, further confirming her research’s significance to the academic and public health communities. She has also participated in peer review for at least two journal submissions.

Endorsement from the Field

A strong testimonial from a peer expert affirms her central role in advancing air quality research:

“Given the pressing need to combat emissions and the impacts of climate change, [client]’s contributions are highly valuable to the field, establishing her as an essential presence in research.”

NAILG’s Support and Case Approval

NAILG worked closely with the client to present a compelling case that showcased the national importance and real-world applications of her work. By clearly aligning her research with pressing public health concerns and demonstrating her unique expertise in the field, we helped secure NIW approval. This success not only affirms her past contributions but also opens new avenues for her continued leadership in aerosol and air quality science.