EB-2 NIWLife sciences and medicineIndividualDecided August 2025Dismissed
Outcome: Dismissed
AUG182025_01B5203
Merit and national importanceMetWell positionedNot metBalance favors a waiverNot reached / not discussed
Our summary
A postdoctoral medical researcher with Ph.D. sought EB-2 national interest waiver for machine learning research on disease diagnosis and treatment. The AAO dismissed, holding that despite meeting the first prong, she failed the second prong: no secured funding, primarily collaborative research background, and insufficient evidence of independent success or detailed plan for future activities.
Official PDF
Official PDF ↗Published by USCIS. The summary is ours, in our own words; the decision text is on uscis.gov.
What the AAO accepted
- Merit and national importance · Postdoctoral research in machine learning for disease diagnosis and precision medicine has national importance in STEM field.
What was missing
- Well positioned · Ph.D. holder showed collaborative research background without primary authorship; unclear funding source; insufficient detail on model or plan for future activities; limited citation impact.
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Merit and national importance | Met | Postdoctoral research in machine learning for disease diagnosis and precision medicine has national importance in STEM field. |
 Well positioned | Not met | Ph.D. holder showed collaborative research background without primary authorship; unclear funding source; insufficient detail on model or plan for future activities; limited citation impact. |
 Balance favors a waiver | Not reached / not discussed | Not reached because second prong failed; decision reserved opinion on third prong. |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.