Success Story: NIW Approval for a Postdoctoral Employee in Pharmaceutical Sciences Despite RFE
Client’s Testimonial:
“Thanks for the notice and for helping with the whole process. I really appreciate your timely response and the quality of the petition package.”
On January 1st, 2026, we received another EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) approval for a Postdoctoral Employee in the Field of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Approval Notice).
General Field: Pharmaceutical Sciences
Position at the Time of Case Filing: Postdoctoral Employee
Country of Origin: Vietnam
State of Residence at the Time of Filing: California
Approval Notice Date: January 1st, 2026
Processing Time: 20 months, 6 days
Case Summary:
We are pleased to share the success story of an EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) approval for a researcher in the field of pharmaceutical sciences. The client, who holds a Ph.D. in Pharmacy, approached North America Immigration Law Group (NAILG) to secure approval for a petition emphasizing the national importance of their work in optimizing cancer therapeutics. Despite receiving a Request for Evidence (RFE) challenging the substantial merit and national importance of the endeavor, we successfully demonstrated the client’s eligibility, leading to approval.
Research Focus and Contributions
The client’s proposed endeavor focuses on characterizing the interaction between therapeutic molecules and their targets to enable the development of superior molecular designs that improve cancer patient outcomes. As an expert in pharmaceutical sciences, the client investigates the underlying mechanisms of cancer therapeutics, specifically focusing on the interactions between drug molecules and cancer targets to facilitate more effective treatments.
Key aspects of this research include investigating the relationship between BAP1 and long non-coding RNA NEAT-1 in gemcitabine-based therapies to better manage cholangiocarcinoma, as well as analyzing the molecular mechanisms underpinning varied transport rates in anthracycline drugs. This work provides fundamental knowledge necessary for optimizing therapeutic designs to avoid multidrug resistance.
To demonstrate the client’s influence in the field, we presented evidence of a focused but impactful publication record. The client has authored 3 peer-reviewed journal articles (2 of them first-authored) and 2 abstracts (1 of them first-authored). These publications have been recognized by the research community, accumulating 95 citations at the time of filing. Notably, one of the client’s papers was ranked among the top 10% most cited articles in the field of Pharmacology & Toxicology for its year of publication, underscoring the high utility of the findings.
The client’s research has also been supported by funding from major national organizations, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the Burroughs Wellcome Fund. This funding highlights the significance of the client’s work in advancing biotechnologies and improving public health outcomes in the United States.
Support from Experts in the Field
To further substantiate the client’s standing, NAILG submitted 2 letters of recommendation from experts in the field. These letters corroborated the client’s technical expertise and the broad applicability of their novel methods, such as the development of a new transport assay technique for monitoring P-glycoprotein mechanisms.
“This has made her particularly well-suited to addressing the most pressing challenges in cancer drug development, including treatment resistance and extensive physical side effects. It is therefore clear that [Client] is a leader in the field of pharmaceutical sciences.”
The ResultAlthough the case received an RFE, NAILG prepared a comprehensive response that clarified the national importance of the client’s work in advancing precision medicine and cancer treatment. The petition was subsequently approved, affirming the client’s vital role in the U.S. research landscape. We are proud to have supported this dedicated pharmaceutical scientist and look forward to their continued contributions to the fight against cancer.