BREAKING: Virologist Nathan Wolfe will end his visiting appointment at Stanford University’s bioengineering department effective Monday, following a controversial report linking him to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This appointment, which lasted for one year, will not be renewed.
Just last week, an investigation by The Stanford Daily revealed troubling communications between Wolfe and Epstein, including an invitation for Epstein to meet “a couple of hottie interns.” Wolfe’s correspondence raised significant concerns about his intentions to involve Epstein as a donor for research aimed at developing a “female Viagra,” based on what he termed “[their] horny virus hypothesis.”
In light of these revelations, Wolfe issued a statement denying any wrongdoing. “I never witnessed or participated in any misconduct or inappropriate behavior,” he told The Daily. However, the fallout from this connection has led to widespread scrutiny of his role within the university.
Previously known as the Lorey I. Lokey Visiting Professor of Human Biology, Wolfe’s LinkedIn profile has recently been updated to reflect his status as a “Visiting Scholar” at Stanford from 2023 until February 2026. This shift in title follows the university’s confirmation that his prior appointment will conclude.
Despite the growing controversy, Wolfe has not responded to inquiries about his current affiliation with Stanford. The university spokesperson emphasized that Wolfe’s one-year appointment was set to expire and would not be extended due to the situation.
As this story develops, the implications of Wolfe’s previous associations raise critical questions about donor relationships in academic research. The academic community is now left to ponder the impact of such affiliations on ethical standards and research integrity.
Stay tuned for further updates on this evolving situation.
