Wyoming graduate student accused after alleged poisoning and airport arrest
A 32-year-old microbiology graduate student from China was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport after allegedly poisoning a colleague’s tea. Prosecutors say Aili Wang used acrylamide and tried to return to China after being questioned. The colleague had pending patents and shared research space with Wang at the University of Wyoming.
Aili Wang, 32, a Chinese microbiology graduate student at the University of Wyoming, was taken into custody on 6 October at Los Angeles International Airport. Authorities say she had laptops, storage devices and documents when detained. Prosecutors allege she twice bought acrylamide through eBay last summer and later asked the platform to close her account.
The alleged victim, identified as “KT,” shared an office with Wang in Laramie and had pending patents. After an August conference, he reportedly suffered severe fatigue and insomnia; testing of his coffee-maker water allegedly found acrylamide. Wang faces a felony aggravated assault and battery charge, with bond set at $1.5m, payable in cash.
The case may heighten anxiety in academic labs, especially among international students and researchers, who could face added scrutiny or stigma. Universities may review shared-space safety and chemical purchasing oversight. Colleagues and the alleged victim’s family could endure lasting health and emotional effects. Because the allegations involve a Chinese national and intellectual property concerns, the matter may also affect public discussion about research security, though guilt has not been established.