A University of Wyoming graduate student is accused of poisoning a fellow researcher with acrylamide before attempting to leave the United States, according to court documents and police. Aili Wang, 32, was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on Oct. 6 after campus police questioned her about surveillance footage. Prosecutors say she was carrying multiple laptops, storage devices and written materials when taken into custody. She faces an aggravated assault and battery charge in Wyoming.
The alleged victim worked on federally funded research involving cancer, neurological and genetic disease treatments. Investigators say a chemical test connected acrylamide to water used by the researcher, while surveillance footage allegedly showed Wang handling his mug and searching his desk.
| 1) | Surveillance footage prompted the poisoning investigation |
|---|---|
| 2) | Acrylamide was identified in water used by the researcher |
| 3) | Police arrested Wang at a Los Angeles airport |
| 4) | The alleged victim remains affected as the case proceeds |
| 5) | The university emphasized campus safety and security |
Surveillance footage prompted the poisoning investigation
Campus police questioned Aili Wang on Oct. 5 after a coworker experiencing medical symptoms installed surveillance cameras. According to a University of Wyoming police affidavit, the footage allegedly showed Wang rinsing the coworker’s mug with liquid from her own cup on Oct. 1. Investigators also said she was seen taking photographs, manipulating notebooks and searching through the researcher’s desk.
The coworker was not identified in court documents. Police said the researcher specialized in disease-treatment technology, work that prosecutors described as similar to research Wang had conducted in China. Wang reportedly told investigators that she had not used acrylamide in years.
Acrylamide was identified in water used by the researcher
The substance identified by authorities was acrylamide, a chemical associated with serious health risks, including cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. The victim’s wife tested water taken from the coffee maker used to prepare his tea, and the chemical was subsequently identified, authorities said.
The research environment involved federally funded work on potential treatments for cancer, neurological conditions and genetic diseases. Mark Gomelsky, a University of Wyoming microbiology professor who supervised both students, said the alleged poisoning had created an alarming situation for the university community.
“It’s been disheartening, to say the least, to see that one of your student’s life is in jeopardy and another student may be responsible for that.”
Police arrested Wang at a Los Angeles airport
Wang was arrested on Oct. 6 at Los Angeles International Airport. Prosecutors allege she was attempting to return to China, where she is from. When officers took her into custody, they found multiple laptops, portable external storage devices, related accessories, physical records and written materials, according to a prosecution request seeking tougher bail conditions.
After Wang was extradited back to Wyoming, her bond was raised from $200,000 to $1.5 million cash-only. The prosecution’s request cited the electronic equipment and documents as factors in seeking the increase. Wang has been charged with aggravated assault and battery, an offense that carries a possible sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
The alleged victim remains affected as the case proceeds
According to Mark Gomelsky, the researcher is a successful student from Vietnam whose work focused on using bacteria to deliver RNA to human cells. Gomelsky said Wang had not passed her first dissertation defense and had become envious of the colleague’s progress. Wang had also stopped working in the laboratory in June while completing her dissertation.
Gomelsky said the victim developed extreme tiredness and difficulty sleeping after attending a major conference in August. He later continued to experience problems concentrating. The professor described acrylamide as a neurotoxin and said it remained unclear whether the researcher would fully recover.
“That was one of the worst shocks in my professional career,” Mark Gomelsky said.
The university emphasized campus safety and security
The case has drawn attention because it involves alleged contamination in an academic research setting and federally funded scientific work. Tak Sumaya, an assistant professor who helped identify the chemical, said the researcher was working on a promising cancer-therapy method.
University President Shane Reeves said the institution was treating the matter as a serious health and safety issue. The university has not disclosed additional details about internal measures or the alleged victim’s identity. The criminal case remains pending, and the allegations have not been proven in court.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Aili Wang is accused of contaminating a coworker’s mug with acrylamide. |
| 2 | She was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport while allegedly attempting to travel to China. |
| 3 | Authorities found laptops, storage devices and written materials in her possession. |
| 4 | The alleged victim continues to report symptoms, including difficulty concentrating. |
Summary
The allegations center on a University of Wyoming research setting, where police say surveillance footage and chemical testing linked Wang to the suspected contamination of a colleague’s drinking vessel. Her airport arrest, possession of electronic equipment and pending aggravated assault and battery charge are now central issues in the case. Authorities and university officials have emphasized the seriousness of the alleged health threat, while the prosecution continues and Wang remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Aili Wang accused of doing?
She is accused of using acrylamide to contaminate a coworker’s mug and water in a University of Wyoming research setting.
Where was Wang arrested?
Authorities arrested her at Los Angeles International Airport on Oct. 6, according to prosecutors.
What charges does Wang face?
She faces an aggravated assault and battery charge in Wyoming, which carries a possible prison sentence of up to 10 years and a $10,000 fine.
What happened to the alleged victim?
The researcher reportedly experienced extreme tiredness, difficulty sleeping and continuing problems with concentration after the alleged poisoning.
