EB-1ALife sciences and medicineIndividualDecided September 2021Sustained
Outcome: Sustained
SEP132021_01B2203
JudgingMetOriginal contributionsMetPublished materialMetScholarly articlesMetAwardsNot metCommercial successClaimed, not analyzedExhibitionsClaimed, not analyzedHigh salaryClaimed, not analyzedLeading or critical roleClaimed, not analyzedMembershipClaimed, not analyzedFinal meritsMet
Our summary
Medical science researcher and professor sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Petitioner claimed and met at least three evidentiary criteria including original contributions, scholarly articles, and judging. AAO found sustained acclaim reflected in publication record and citation history, qualifying petitioner as among the very top of the field.
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
- Judging · Director and AAO agreed petitioner fulfilled criterion by judging work of others in field
- Original contributions · Expert letters established significance of petitioner's research on membrane proteins in Cell journal; answered long-standing field question
- Published material · Petitioner's work published in high-impact journals demonstrates published material criterion
- Scholarly articles · Director and AAO agreed petitioner fulfilled criterion authoring scholarly articles
- Final merits · Record demonstrates sustained national and international acclaim; high citation rate and continued contributions show presence among small percentage at top of field
What was missing
- Awards · Petitioner did not establish receipt of major internationally recognized award
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Judging | Met | Director and AAO agreed petitioner fulfilled criterion by judging work of others in field |
 Original contributions | Met | Expert letters established significance of petitioner's research on membrane proteins in Cell journal; answered long-standing field question |
 Published material | Met | Petitioner's work published in high-impact journals demonstrates published material criterion |
 Scholarly articles | Met | Director and AAO agreed petitioner fulfilled criterion authoring scholarly articles |
 Awards | Not met | Petitioner did not establish receipt of major internationally recognized award |
 Commercial success | Claimed, not analyzed | Not claimed or analyzed |
 Exhibitions | Claimed, not analyzed | Not applicable to researcher; not claimed |
 High salary | Claimed, not analyzed | Not claimed or analyzed |
 Leading or critical role | Claimed, not analyzed | Not claimed or analyzed |
 Membership | Claimed, not analyzed | Not claimed or analyzed |
 Final merits | Met | Record demonstrates sustained national and international acclaim; high citation rate and continued contributions show presence among small percentage at top of field |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.