Uncertainty Surrounds Martin Nowak’s Position at Harvard
As Harvard’s Class of 2030 gears up to start their academic journey in just two weeks, it’s still uncertain how long Martin Nowak, who had mysterious exchanges about “captured spies” and “torture” with Jeffrey Epstein, will continue to be employed by the university. These emails were brought to light in 2014.
Nowak’s Program in Evolutionary Dynamics (PED), situated near Harvard Yard, had strong ties to Epstein, who referred to it as “my place” at the university in an email revealed last fall.
Though it’s back-to-school time, questions regarding Epstein’s connection to Harvard linger. Some individuals associated with the Ivy League have sought to diminish his influence while wanting to secure their own positions within elite circles.
The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) confirmed that Nowak is currently on administrative leave but didn’t provide clarity on the duration of this leave. A formal investigation was initiated roughly six months ago.
In 2021, Harvard shifted research activities from PED to the mathematics department and later reinstated Nowak’s responsibilities and research benefits in 2023. In February, Nowak’s leave was enforced following a legal requirement from the Justice Department to release millions of documents concerning Epstein.
In a statement on his website, Nowak stated that the email exchanges might have been misinterpreted. He clarified that a line about “spies being captured” was actually a reference from the video game Civilization II, which he played years ago. He mentioned it often flits through his mind after solving small math problems.
Nowak indicated he was puzzled about Epstein’s comment on “torture,” emphasizing that the discussions in the emails didn’t refer to real spies, missions, or torture incidents.
“As I’ve indicated before, I absolutely condemn Epstein’s crimes,” he asserted. “Anything that inflicts harm upon individuals is an abomination.” However, he hasn’t faced any legal charges, and there hasn’t been a response regarding inquiries about his rapport with Epstein or the investigation’s status.
Connections to Epstein’s Network
Epstein’s associates reportedly referred to PED as his laboratory. Science writer Robert Kuhn pointed out the “Evolutionary Dynamics – Harvard University Program” in a magazine. In a 2017 email, Epstein discussed topics for a potential TV show with Nowak, referencing his interests in the lab.
Documents indicate Epstein promoted Nowak’s lab, seeking to bolster his reputation through scientific grants. Notably, he attempted to manage his public image amid ongoing civil proceedings and controversy surrounding his past actions.
Epstein’s efforts to mask his illegal activities included funding webpages that highlighted his support for science, reflecting his connections with elite circles. He reportedly claimed to have provided $30 million to PED, a figure that Harvard disputes as about $6.5 million. Harvard’s then-president Larry Summers played a key role in establishing the institute back in 2003.
In November 2025, Harvard began another investigation coinciding with new board appointments, including Mary Erdoes from JPMorgan Asset & Wealth Management. Reports indicated she maintained close ties with Epstein, who was among the bank’s wealthiest clients.
There were also significant concerns over Epstein’s suspicious financial activities, involving payments to numerous individuals in various countries, as evidenced by a recent Senate investigation report.
