Formulation scientist with Ph.D. seeks NIW for drug delivery systems research. AAO found substantial merit and national importance of proposed research endeavor but concluded petitioner failed to demonstrate independence from employer, failing second prong.

An assistant professor in classics sought a national interest waiver for EB-2 classification. The AAO held the proposed endeavor—study of ancient inscriptions, preservation of epigraphical resources, and classics teaching—has substantial merit but lacks the requisite national importance under Dhanasar's first prong, and did not address the remaining prongs.

Nutritionist sought NIW to start nutrition counseling company in Florida. AAO dismissed because petitioner lacked qualifying advanced degree and failed to establish national importance; serving individual clients in a STEM profession lacks sufficiently broad implications for the field.

Chemical engineering graduate student seeks NIW for research designing materials for PFAS water purification. AAO found first prong met but rejected second prong, concluding citations and publications alone insufficient to show field influence and well-positioning.