Epstein’s Links with Scientists ‘Deeper Than Previously Known’: Report

Washington – The relationship between disgraced US financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and the scientific community was far more extensive than earlier understood, according to a recent report published by the journal Nature.

Based on newly released documents from the US Department of Justice, the report revealed that Epstein invested millions of dollars in scientific research and maintained a network of nearly 30 prominent scientists. The documents indicate that several researchers sought Epstein’s advice on academic publications, visa matters, and public relations issues, and in some cases allowed him substantial involvement in their research activities.

Despite Epstein’s 2008 conviction for sex-related offences, some scientists continued to maintain professional ties with him and accepted financial contributions. Epstein reportedly donated about $800,000 to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), a development that later resulted in the resignation of two scientists and the suspension of another.

The report clarified that the presence of researchers’ names in the documents does not automatically imply wrongdoing or participation in Epstein’s criminal acts. However, it highlights the depth of his engagement in scientific circles and research programmes.

The newly released documents also shed light on specific interactions between Epstein and scientists. Theoretical physicist Lawrence Krauss, whose science outreach organisation reportedly received $250,000 from Epstein, was allegedly advised by the financier via email to respond with “no comment” to media inquiries regarding a sexual misconduct investigation that eventually led to Krauss leaving Arizona State University.

Harvard theoretical physicist Lisa Randall was also mentioned in the documents, which stated that she visited Epstein’s private Caribbean island in 2014 and exchanged emails with him that jokingly referenced his house arrest.

In 2013, virologist Nathan Wolfe, then associated with Stanford University, reportedly proposed that Epstein fund a study examining sexual behaviour among undergraduate students to explore what he described as a “horny virus hypothesis”.

One of Epstein’s closest academic associations was with mathematical biologist Martin Nowak, who joined Harvard University in 2003. With a $6.5 million contribution from Epstein, Nowak established the Program for Evolutionary Dynamics (PED), a research initiative focused on mathematical modelling of evolutionary processes. Harvard shut down the programme in 2021 and imposed sanctions on Nowak, which were later lifted in 2023.

The documents also indicated that Princeton University professor Corina Tarnita, who was previously a doctoral student under Nowak, maintained communication with Epstein even after his conviction. Emails showed that she sent him birthday greetings in 2010 and 2011 and expressed gratitude for his assistance in securing a visa.

Further correspondence revealed Epstein’s involvement in research discussions, including suggesting topics such as “commercial evolution” and “prelife”. In one instance, Nowak reportedly shared advance proofs of a research paper accepted by Nature with Epstein before publication and sought his advice on handling criticism related to the study.

The revelations have triggered concerns within the academic community regarding ethical standards in research funding. Jesse Kass, a mathematician at the University of California, Santa Cruz, told Nature that it was highly unusual for a private funder to be involved so directly in scientific research. He stressed the need for serious academic discussions to ensure that such situations are prevented in the future.

The US Department of Justice began releasing this latest set of documents on January 30. Comprising more than three million records, it represents the largest collection of Epstein-related files made public since the passage of the Epstein Transparency Act by the US Congress last year.

With inputs from IANS