A Chinese graduate student at the University of Wyoming has been arrested after allegedly poisoning a fellow researcher’s tea with a toxic chemical and attempting to flee to China while carrying laptops, electronic storage devices, and research documents.
Aili Wang, 32, was taken into custody October 6 at Los Angeles International Airport, just one day after campus police questioned her about a disturbing series of incidents involving a male colleague whose research included potentially groundbreaking medical treatments.
Prosecutors allege Wang secretly contaminated the man’s tea with acrylamide, a chemical that can damage the nervous system, while also accessing his research materials without permission.
The alleged victim, identified in court documents only as K.T., had been conducting federally funded research involving new technologies for treating cancer, neurological conditions, and genetic disorders. Some of his work was the subject of pending patent applications.
According to investigators, the trouble began in August when the researcher started experiencing unexplained health problems, including extreme fatigue and difficulty sleeping.
He also noticed something unusual about the tea he prepared using a small coffee maker in his university office.
The beverage sometimes tasted strange, but the problem appeared to disappear whenever he cleaned the machine.
Growing suspicious, the researcher’s wife and university colleagues arranged for the water to be tested. A chemistry professor discovered acrylamide, prompting an investigation by University of Wyoming police.
Authorities subsequently learned that Wang had allegedly purchased the chemical twice through eBay during the summer.
Investigators say she later contacted the online marketplace about deleting her account.
Police then installed surveillance cameras inside the office shared by Wang and the alleged victim.
What those cameras reportedly captured raised even more troubling questions.
On September 27, Wang was allegedly recorded searching through her colleague’s desk without permission.
Four days later, investigators say surveillance footage showed her photographing and handling research notebooks before rinsing the victim’s mug using liquid from her own cup.
The two researchers reportedly had a strained relationship and worked in different scientific fields.
According to court documents, Wang had previously conducted research in China involving technology similar to the victim’s work.
Investigators have not established that she stole proprietary research or that intellectual property theft motivated the alleged poisoning.
When campus police interviewed Wang on October 5, she reportedly denied using acrylamide in recent years.
The following day, authorities located her at Los Angeles International Airport, where prosecutors allege she was preparing to return to China.
At the time of her arrest, investigators say she possessed multiple laptops, portable electronic storage devices, accessories, and written materials.
Those items were seized as part of the ongoing investigation.
Wang has been charged with felony aggravated assault and battery, an offense that carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine under Wyoming law.
Prosecutors initially sought a $200,000 bond but later argued for a substantial increase because of concerns that Wang might leave the country.
An Albany County judge subsequently raised her bond to $1.5 million cash-only. She remained detained in Los Angeles as authorities worked toward her return to Wyoming.
The allegations have shocked faculty members at the university.
Mark Gomelsky, a microbiology professor who supervised both students, told The Associated Press that he was devastated by the accusations and deeply concerned about the victim’s health.
“It’s been disheartening, to say the least, to see that one of your students’ lives is in jeopardy and another student may be responsible for that,” Gomelsky said.
He described the situation as one of the worst shocks of his professional career.
The professor also expressed uncertainty about whether the injured researcher would ever fully recover.
Investigators are continuing to examine the seized electronic devices and research materials as they attempt to determine the full circumstances of the alleged poisoning.
The case has raised serious questions about laboratory security, workplace safety, and the protection of sensitive university research.
However, authorities have not announced espionage charges or established any connection between Wang’s alleged actions and the Chinese government.
Wang is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
