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sustained EB-1A

Geoscientist And Researcher

Geoscientist And Researcher Specializing In Volcanology · Brazil · 2025-02-18

Decision Date
2025-02-18
Location
Hawaii
This case is from a USCIS Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) appeal decision. Appeal cases represent a subset of petitions and may not reflect typical outcomes.

Framework Evaluation

5 of 3 criteria met
Published material about the alien in professional or major trade publications or other major media (Met)

The Petitioner and her work were featured in O Globo, a leading news publication in Brazil, demonstrating recognition in major media.

Participation, either individually or on a panel, as a judge of the work of others in the same or an allied field of endeavor (Met)

The Petitioner has peer-reviewed articles for notable scientific journals, and an expert confirmed her recommendation for review work, satisfying this criterion.

Original scientific, scholarly, artistic, athletic, or business-related contributions of major significance in the field (Met)

The Petitioner developed innovative programming code for analyzing volcano eruption videos, which is critical for eruption response, and discovered a Brazilian volcano's more recent eruption, significantly impacting understanding for volcanologists and the oil and gas industry.

Authorship of scholarly articles in the field, in professional or major trade publications or other major media (Met)

The Petitioner has authored several publications in major trade journals, most as first-author, demonstrating a high citation rate relative to others in her field.

Performance in a leading or critical role for organizations or establishments that have a distinguished reputation (Met)

The Petitioner performed critical roles for universities with distinguished reputations, including maintaining an isotope laboratory and science in a Department of Earth Sciences after a lead researcher's death, which was essential to keep the lab functioning.

Why This Petition Was Approved

The AAO sustained the appeal, finding the Petitioner met 5 of the 10 EB-1A criteria: published material about her (iii), judging others' work (iv), original contributions of major significance (v), authorship of scholarly articles (vi), and performance in a leading or critical role (viii). Her original contributions included an innovative programming code for analyzing volcano eruption videos and the discovery of a Brazilian volcano's more recent eruption, which informed the oil and gas industry. The cumulative evidence, including extensive documentation, conference presentations, collaborations, and high citation rate for her first-authored publications, demonstrated sustained national acclaim and placed her among the top scientists in volcanology.

Evidence

Evidence Types
Media Coverage
Conference Presentations
Reference Letters Dependent
Original Contributions
Scholarly Articles
Citations
Judging Experience
Awards
Evidence Submitted
  • featured in O Globo (leading news publication in Brazil)
  • presented research at dozens of conferences (unsolicited invitations)
  • collaborated with researchers at prominent universities in the United Kingdom and the United States
  • performed in critical roles for universities with distinguished reputations (Carnegie Classification, QS World University Rankings)
  • original scientific contributions of major significance (innovative programming code for volcano eruption analysis, published in international journal)
  • discovery of a Brazilian volcano's more recent eruption (60,000 years ago vs. 250,000 years ago)
  • contributions to oil and gas organizations (integrated analysis of porosity patterns, analogous model for exploitation of oil and gas in unconventional reservoirs)
  • expert letters highlighting research and contributions (ranked among top young scientists over 50 years)
  • presented for a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) seminar series
  • served as a USGS volunteer at Hawaii's Kilauea volcano
  • worked in Greece researching the Santorini volcano
  • invited to participate in research expeditions to explore volcanoes on the seafloor (Ocean Exploration Trust)
  • invited by Hawaiian Volcano Observatory to join efforts researching Mauna Loa
  • several publications in major trade journals (mostly first-author, high citation rate)
  • peer-reviewed articles for notable scientific journals

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Frequently Asked Questions

A sustained EB-1A (I-140) petition means USCIS determined the petitioner met the eligibility requirements. For appealed cases, "sustained" means the appeal reversed a prior denial. The petitioner can proceed to the next step in the immigration process.

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Case data sourced from publicly available petition decisions and case studies. Decision date: 2025-02-18.

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At a Glance

Outcome sustained
Criteria Met 5 / 3
Evidence Types 8

EB-1A Case Data

Scraped Case Data

Total Cases 884
Success Rate 52.7%
Sustained 466
Dismissed 301

Related Pages

EB-1A Overview EB-1A in Brazil All EB-1A Cases EB-1A Dashboard

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