Article By David Lindfield
A Chinese graduate student accused of poisoning a celebrated University of Wyoming cancer researcher was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport while allegedly attempting to flee to communist China, prosecutors say.
Aili Wang, 32, faces aggravated assault and battery charges after investigators say surveillance footage captured her contaminating a colleague’s mug.
Police reportedly seized Wang’s laptops and electronic devices during the arrest.
Authorities identified the substance as acrylamide, a toxic chemical she allegedly purchased through eBay.
The victim, a Vietnamese graduate student conducting federally funded research into treatments for cancer, neurological disorders, and genetic diseases, continues to experience symptoms, according to his professor.
Hidden Camera Captures Alleged Tampering
The victim installed surveillance cameras after experiencing unexplained medical problems.
According to a campus police affidavit, October 1 footage allegedly shows Wang rinsing his mug with liquid from her own cup.
Investigators also describe her searching his desk, “taking photos and manipulating notebooks.”
The affidavit says Wang had no reason to search the desk.
The victim’s disease-treatment research involved work similar to research she had performed in China.
The victim’s wife tested water from the coffee maker he used to prepare tea, leading to the discovery of acrylamide.
When campus police questioned Wang on October 5, she said she “had not used acrylamide in years,” according to court documents.
Authorities arrested her at LAX the following day.
Prosecutors allege she was attempting to return to China.
Laptops and Storage Devices Seized
When arrested, Wang possessed “multiple laptops, multiple portable external digital storage devices, related accessories, physical records and written materials,” prosecutors state in a request to increase her bond.
After her extradition to Wyoming, her bond rose from $200,000 to $1.5 million, cash only.
The aggravated assault and battery charge carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Professor Says Victim’s Recovery Remains Uncertain
Microbiology professor Mark Gomelsky, who supervised both students, describes the situation as a “horrifying and surreal experience.”
“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 told The Associated Press.
“That was one of the worst shocks in my professional career,” Gomelsky said.
According to Gomelsky, Wang failed her first dissertation defense and became envious of her colleague’s success developing a method of using bacteria to deliver RNA to human cells.
Assistant professor Tak Sumaya, who helped identify the chemical, describes the victim’s work as “a pretty promising cancer therapy method.”
Gomelsky says the victim began experiencing extreme fatigue and difficulty sleeping shortly after attending a prestigious conference in August.
He continues to struggle with symptoms, including difficulty concentrating.
“Acrylamide is a neurotoxin that cannot be neutralized, so it stays in neurons and basically kills them,” Gomelsky said.
“So it’s unclear if he’ll fully recover or not.”
Wang had not been working in the laboratory since June because she was preparing her dissertation, according to Gomelsky.
University President Shane Reeves addressed the case in a statement.
“The university takes matters involving the health and safety of the campus community seriously and remains committed to providing a safe and secure environment for students, faculty, staff and visitors,” Reeves said.
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