Martin Nowak
Case Notes
Harvard professor whose program received $6.5M from Epstein
INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY
Martin Nowak, a mathematics and biology professor at Harvard University, is under formal investigation by Harvard's Faculty of Arts and Sciences following the January 2026 release of over 3 million Epstein Files documents by the U.S. Department of Justice. On February 25, 2026, Harvard placed Nowak on paid administrative leave while conducting a formal inquiry into whether he violated FAS or University policies or standards of professional conduct. The investigation was recommended by a panel of the FAS Faculty Conduct Committee after reviewing the newly surfaced material. Nowak had extensive contact with Jeffrey Epstein over approximately 15 years, making contact at least 150 times after Epstein's 2008 conviction. Epstein provided $6.5 million in the early 2000s to establish Harvard's Program for Evolutionary Dynamics, which Nowak led. The relationship involved substantial personal and financial dimensions, including Nowak's use of Epstein's properties and aircraft, and messaging about personal matters. In 2021, Harvard had previously sanctioned Nowak for violating University policies by facilitating Epstein's presence at Harvard, but those sanctions were lifted in 2023. The current investigation represents a renewed formal process under FAS procedures.
Determination Timeline
Harvard mathematician Martin Nowak was placed on paid administrative leave for a formal investigation into whether his extensive ties to Jeffrey Epstein violated university policies.
Harvard mathematics professor Martin Nowak is under investigation by the Faculty of Arts and Sciences for his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, including over 150 post-conviction contacts, Epstein's access to his lab office with young women, cryptic emails about a "spy," and trips to Epstein's island, lea...
Harvard lifted all sanctions against Nowak in March 2023, restoring his advising and research privileges after a two-year disciplinary period. Nowak remained on faculty in the Mathematics and Organismic and Evolutionary Biology departments.
Harvard disciplined Nowak in March 2021 for violations of University policies related to Epstein ties. The Program for Evolutionary Dynamics was shut down, and Nowak was barred from accepting new advisees or serving as principal investigator on new grants/contracts.
A Harvard University report on its relationship with Epstein found close ties between Epstein and Nowak, a mathematics and biology professor, prompting action regarding his institutional standing.
Jeffrey Epstein pleaded guilty to procuring a child for prostitution and soliciting a prostitute. This conviction is the underlying context for subsequent scrutiny of Nowak's association with Epstein.
Document References (27)
Media Coverage (11)
'He was surrounded by smart people': academics in Epstein files
John Brockman, an agent and founder of the Edge Foundation, which explores scientific and intellectual ideas, appears to have introduced Epstein to many people …
Epstein was invited to suspended prof's Concord home, documents show
Soon after Harvard professor Martin Nowak bought a home in Concord in 2017, he asked Jeffrey Epstein's assistant if her boss would pay him a visit, according to…
Harvard Places Math Professor Martin Nowak on Paid Administrative Leave Over Epstein Ties
Harvard placed mathematics professor Martin Nowak on paid administrative leave amid a renewed investigation into his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey E. E…
Martin Nowak Placed on Leave a Second Time
Martin Nowak, a professor of mathematics and of biology, has been placed on paid administrative leave for a second time, in response to new information pertaini…
Harvard widens Jeffrey Epstein investigation to donors - Axios Boston
Physics professor Lisa Randall was mentioned in the DOJ documents released on January 30. The connections between the Harvard University community and convicted…
Exclusive: Harvard cut off Epstein donations, but emails reveal his influence continued years later
Newly released documents reveal Martin Nowak facilitated Epstein's campus access and helped him rehabilitate his image, with sanctions imposed including leave f…
Even More Higher Ed Names in the Epstein Files
The latest batch of released Epstein files reveals additional names from the higher education community who had contact with Jeffrey Epstein. Corina Tarnita, a …
Harvard University Punishes Professor Who Had Ties To Jeffrey Epstein
Harvard announced disciplinary measures against professor Martin Nowak including closure of his research program and a two-year bar on research and student advi…
Harvard Sanctions Professor Martin Nowak Over Epstein Donations, Nukes His Pet Program
Harvard shut down the Program for Evolutionary Dynamics, which had received $6.5 million from Epstein, and barred Nowak for two years from serving as principal …
Harvard punishes professor who had ties to Jeffrey Epstein
Harvard barred math professor Martin Nowak from starting new research for two years and from advising students, and shut down his Program for Evolutionary Dynam…
Harvard Professor Martin Nowak Put on Leave for Helping Jeffrey Epstein 'Boost' Fake Public Image
Martin Nowak was placed on paid administrative leave after Harvard's investigation found he gave Epstein his own office (Office 601, called 'Jeffrey's Office'),…
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