Case Summary:      

We are pleased to share the success story of an EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) approval granted to a public health researcher from China whose work is transforming the field of maternal and child health. At the time of filing, the client was conducting epidemiological research as an associate research scientist and had built a strong record of advancing scientific understanding in environmental and lifestyle risk factors that impact vulnerable populations.

Research with Substantial Merit and National Importance:

NAILG recognized the client’s unique contribution to improving public health outcomes through epidemiological methodologies aimed at identifying risk factors, especially lesser-studied air pollutants that influence the well-being of women and children. Her research addresses urgent national concerns such as maternal morbidity, childhood respiratory health, and the broader implications of environmental exposure on reproductive outcomes. With millions of children and pregnant women affected by environmental threats annually, this endeavor holds substantial public health and economic implications in the United States.

Well Positioned to Advance the Proposed Endeavor:

The petition demonstrated that the client is exceptionally well qualified to carry out this line of work. With a Ph.D. in epidemiology and advanced degrees in nutrition and public health, she has authored 21 peer-reviewed journal articles, 8 of which she led as first author. Her studies have been published in top-ranked journals, reflecting both her expertise and the high regard of the scientific community. Her research has accumulated 426 citations and has been incorporated into public health scholarship by researchers around the world. She has also served as a peer reviewer at least 42 times for leading journals in epidemiology, nutrition, and environmental science, a strong indication of her standing in the field.

Demonstrating the Petitioner’s Significance:

NAILG highlighted multiple lines of evidence to demonstrate that the client’s contributions are original, influential, and nationally relevant. The petition included detailed documentation showing that her papers rank among the top-cited in the social sciences for their publication years. Her projects, ranging from the effects of magnesium on sleep and preterm birth to risk analysis of air pollutants and electronic cigarettes, were shown to have significantly impacted public health policy discussions and research directions. Furthermore, her work has been supported by reputable funding sources, including the National Institutes of Health and municipal research initiatives, which further validates the national importance of her proposed endeavor.

Expert Support and Recognition:

To reinforce the merits of her petition, NAILG included two letters of recommendation from leading scholars in epidemiology and public health. These letters attested to the originality, rigor, and policy relevance of her work and confirmed her status as a thought leader in addressing environmental and lifestyle risks that threaten maternal and child health.

“[Client’s] prowess in nutrition and her strong record of high-impact publications situate her as a leader in the field and establish her inherent value to the U.S.”

With a clearly articulated research plan, an impressive track record, and the backing of respected experts, NAILG successfully demonstrated that this client meets all the criteria for a National Interest Waiver. We are proud to have played a role in securing her approval and look forward to her continued contributions to safeguarding maternal and child health in the United States.