The DIS staff is comprised of experienced immigration specialists and program support who strive to provide accurate and responsive immigration-related support to advance the NIH research mission.
We have three key teams at DIS. Two of our teams primarily focus on case processing for NIH scientists. Our customer service team addresses general inquires and manages our office communications, including our website and newsletters.
If you have a question related to an open case at DIS and are already in touch with a DIS staff member, you may contact them directly. Otherwise, please refer to our
Contact Us webpage.
Director’s Team
Director:
Candelario Zapata, RO
Chief Compliance Officer/Deputy Director:
TBD, ARO
Immigration Policy Analyst:
Margaret Richmond, ARO
Program Specialist: Jamie Siemsen
Customer Service Team
Team Leader:
Valerie Martini, ARO
Immigration Specialist: Heisol Zelaya, ARO
Immigration Specialist: Noelle Brooker, ARO
FTE / Employee Processing Team
Team Leader:
Elisa Facetti, ARO
Immigration Specialist: Alma Von Gontard, ARO
Immigration Specialist: Daniel Forgosh, ARO
Immigration Specialist: Jeff Augustine, ARO
Immigration Specialist: Jiyoon Cha
Non-FTE / Fellow Processing Team
Team Leader:
Katie McLaughlin, ARO
Immigration Specialist: James Choi, ARO
Immigration Specialist: Anabelle Filbert, ARO
Immigration Specialist: Charlie Oliver, ARO
Immigration Specialist: Kirby Riley, ARO
Immigration Specialist: Waka Sampei, ARO
FDA Team
E-mail DISFDA
International Patient Services Team
E-mail IPSTeam
Waiver Team
E-mail DISWaiver