Harvard Professor Suspended Over Epstein Ties Following Summers' Resignation
A Harvard University mathematics professor has been placed on administrative leave after his connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein were exposed, just hours after former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers resigned from his teaching roles at the institution due to his own links.
Nowak's Suspension and Program Closure
Martin Nowak, 60, was suspended following an investigation into his relationship with Epstein, according to a letter to the professor obtained by the Harvard Crimson. The university has also decided to shut down Nowak's Program for Evolutionary Dynamics, which Epstein once donated $6.5 million in cash to support.
This substantial donation represented the largest portion of the $9.1 million in total gifts Epstein made to Harvard during that period, as reported by Harvard Magazine. Nowak will face significant restrictions, including reduced access to undergraduate and postdoctoral students for at least two years and a ban on initiating new research projects.
Longstanding Connections and University Sanctions
Nowak's relationship with Epstein was uncovered in a 2020 report, which detailed ties with the sex offender spanning over a decade, beginning in 1998. The report also revealed that Epstein possessed a key card granting him unlimited access to Harvard's Program for Evolutionary Dynamics, even after his 2008 conviction for procuring a child for prostitution.
In 2021, Harvard determined that Nowak had violated the school's code of conduct and closed his program until those sanctions were lifted in 2023, according to The Crimson. Epstein, who was convicted in 2008 and later died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges, maintained these institutional connections despite his criminal history.
Summers' Resignation and Honeymoon Visit
The fallout extends to prominent economist Larry Summers, who will relinquish his title of University Professor, the highest academic honor at Harvard, and resign from his teaching roles at the end of this academic year. Summers has been on leave since November 2025 as Harvard investigates documents related to Epstein released by the Department of Justice in January.
Summers and his wife, Lisa New, visited Epstein's Little Saint James island, commonly referred to as 'Pedo Island,' in December 2005, just ten days after their wedding. Flight logs indicate this honeymoon trip occurred while Summers was still serving as Harvard's president.
A spokesperson for Summers previously stated: 'Mr. Summers and Ms. New spent their honeymoon in St. John and Jamaica in December 2005, which was long before Mr. Epstein was arrested for the first time.'
Institutional Scrutiny and Ongoing Investigations
The simultaneous disciplinary actions against Nowak and Summers highlight growing scrutiny around Harvard's historical associations with Epstein. The university's response includes both immediate administrative measures and longer-term restrictions aimed at addressing ethical breaches and maintaining institutional integrity.
As investigations continue, Harvard faces ongoing questions about how Epstein maintained access and influence within academic programs despite his criminal convictions. The Daily Mail has reached out to both Nowak and Harvard for further comment on these developments.
