Date of Decision: September 28, 2017
Service Center: Nebraska Service Center
Form Type: Form I-140
Case Type: EB-1 Extraordinary Ability
Petitioner Information
Profession: Associate Research Scholar
Field: Theoretical Cosmology
Nationality: Not Specified
Summary of Decision
Initial Decision: Denied
Appeal Outcome: Approved
Evidentiary Criteria Analysis
Criteria Met:
Judging the Work of Others: The petitioner has reviewed manuscripts for several top journals in the field, including the highest-ranked journal in physics and astronomy.
Original Contributions of Major Significance: The petitioner discovered critical flaws in the existing standard paradigm of inflationary cosmology and proposed new theories, including the ekpyrotic universe model and the anamorphic model, which have significantly impacted the field.
Authorship of Scholarly Articles: The petitioner authored multiple articles in top journals, which have been widely cited and debated in the scientific community.
Criteria Not Met:
Published Material About the Petitioner: The Director initially found that the published material was about the petitioner’s work rather than the petitioner herself. However, other criteria were met sufficiently to sustain the appeal.
Key Points from the Decision
Original Contributions of Major Significance:
The petitioner’s work in theoretical cosmology, particularly her discovery of flaws in the inflationary model and the development of alternative theories, has sparked significant debate and led to substantial contributions to the field. Notably, her work prompted responses from leading cosmologists, including the creator of the inflationary theory.
Judging the Work of Others:
The petitioner’s role in reviewing manuscripts for leading scientific journals, including one of the top-ranked journals in physics, highlights her standing in the academic community as an expert in her field.
Authorship of Scholarly Articles:
The petitioner has published extensively in top-tier journals, and her articles have received significant citations, demonstrating her influence in the field of theoretical cosmology.
Supporting Documentation
- Letters of Recommendation: Multiple letters from renowned scientists and academics attested to the petitioner’s significant contributions and standing in the field.
- Published Articles: Copies of the petitioner’s articles and citation data were provided, showcasing her impact in theoretical cosmology.
- Media Coverage: Articles from major science publications discussing the petitioner’s work were included, further illustrating her influence.
Conclusion
Final Determination: The appeal was approved. The petitioner successfully demonstrated that she met the requirements for classification as an individual of extraordinary ability by providing substantial evidence of her original contributions, her role as a judge of the work of others, and her authorship of significant scholarly articles.
Reasoning:
The petitioner’s pioneering research, recognized by top scientists and validated through her publications and judging roles, positioned her among the top small percentage in her field, meeting the stringent criteria required for EB-1 Extraordinary Ability classification.
Next Steps:
The petitioner should continue to document her ongoing contributions and maintain evidence of her standing in the field to support any future immigration benefits or renewals.
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