PhD Candidate Wins an NIW Before Finishing His Doctorate

Carmiann Cespedes helped a doctoral researcher working at the intersection of materials science, machine learning, and AI win approval of his EB-2 National Interest Waiver by successfully overcoming a challenging Request for Evidence. USCIS had questioned his eligibility under the exceptional ability route and the national importance of his proposed work. The response established both prongs, securing approval while he was still completing his PhD.