This is an AAO appeal decision — a case denied once and appealed. It shows how the framework is applied; it is not the filing population.
The petitioner, a data scientist/senior machine-learning scientist at a biotech company, proposed to continue AI-driven drug discovery research, including small-molecule and antibody drug design and analysis of genomic/genetic data.
Field: computer science / machine learning for drug discovery · Read the decision (uscis.gov)
EB-2 threshold — addressed
AAO agreed the petitioner qualifies as a member of the professions holding an advanced degree.
Prong 1 — national importanceestablished
Prong 2 — well positionedestablished
Prong 3 — balance of factorsestablished
How the evidence was treated
- recommendation letter · credited
- citations publications · credited
- resume experience · credited
- funding · credited
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Notable
AAO reversed SCOPS on the first two Dhanasar prongs, finding SCOPS's factual characterizations (e.g., regarding the supervisor letter's probative value, lack of independent-citation evidence, and absence of government funding evidence) inaccurate or unsupported, and remanded only for reconsideration of the third prong, noting SCOPS' erroneous prong-one/two conclusions likely tainted its brief prong-three analysis.
Authorities this decision leans on
From the doctrinal survivor set — 187 authority tests across 47 distinct authorities cleared the differential-lift gates. Only those appear here.
- 8 C.F.R. 103.2(b)(1)
- 8 C.F.R. 103.3
- Flores v. Garland
What this case teaches
Analyst reading of the decision text.
SCOPS erred by demanding a defense-specific or employer-limited showing; AAO found the endeavor sufficiently described and its field-wide, public-health impact established, satisfying prongs 1 and 2, leaving only prong 3 for remand.
Frame research impact as advancing methods/field broadly (citing independent citations, regulatory-body relevance) rather than tying merit to a single employer's product or requiring government funding evidence.
specific
field_advancement · public_health · critical_emerging_tech
mixed
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