Case Summary:      

We are pleased to share the success story of an EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) petition approval secured for a cybersecurity expert whose research is advancing real-time threat detection and malware response systems using artificial intelligence. At the time of filing, the client held a Ph.D. in software engineering and was committed to continuing his work on safeguarding smart infrastructures through proactive cybersecurity innovation.

Research Focus and Contributions:
 The petition emphasized the client’s impactful research on designing intelligent systems capable of identifying and responding to cyberattacks in real-time. Leveraging deep learning and machine learning frameworks, his work targets critical infrastructure vulnerabilities in smart cities, industrial IoT systems, and healthcare networks. Three of his major projects include:

• Developing image-based malware classification using fine-tuned convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for fast, accurate threat detection.
• Enhancing malware detection performance through ensemble CNN architectures, which significantly improved speed and accuracy.
• Advancing IoT malware threat protection through neural network ensemble systems, achieving exceptionally high detection rates across diverse system architectures.

These innovations directly address the growing threat of cyberattacks and contribute essential tools for national and global cybersecurity resilience.

Scientific Impact and Recognition:
 To demonstrate the client’s strong standing in the field, we presented evidence of:

• 13 peer-reviewed journal articles published in leading computer science and cybersecurity journals.
• A total of 858 citations as recorded by Google Scholar, placing the client in the top 1% most-cited researchers in the computer science field over the past decade.
• Multiple papers ranked in top citation percentiles: one in the top 0.1%, two in the top 1%, and one in the top 10% for their respective years of publication.
• Demonstrated influence of his research on global scholarship through dozens of independent citations referencing and applying his findings.

Well Positioned to Advance the Proposed Endeavor:
 The petition outlined the client’s qualifications and forward-looking research agenda. With a strong academic foundation and a growing record of influential publications, he intends to continue his work at a U.S. academic institution, where he will lead new initiatives to mitigate malware threats across smart grid systems, smart cities, and healthcare IT infrastructure. His ongoing contributions are positioned at the intersection of national security, public health, and emerging AI technologies, aligning closely with federal priorities for critical technology development.

Approval and Outcome:
 Approved in February 2025, this EB-2 NIW petition was successfully adjudicated in just over 15 months. NAILG is proud to have represented this client and secured a favorable outcome, supporting his future innovations in artificial intelligence-driven cybersecurity to benefit national interests and global digital safety.