A scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison has been arrested on serious charges after he allegedly attempted to poison a colleague by contaminating the colleague’s personal items with chemicals. Makoto Kuroda, a 41-year-old staff scientist at the Influenza Research Institute in the School of Veterinary Medicine, was taken into custody on April 10, following an investigation initiated by a report of a strange odour detected in a laboratory on campus.
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According to an incident report from the UW-Madison Police Department, officers responded to the initial report of an unusual smell emanating from a laboratory on April 7. Kuroda’s arrest came three days later. He is now facing felony charges that include recklessly endangering safety and tampering with household products, as stated in court records from Wisconsin Circuit Court.
The allegations suggest that Kuroda introduced harmful chemicals—believed to be paraformaldehyde, chloroform, and Trizol—into the personal belongings of his co-worker, specifically targeting the victim’s water bottle. Reports indicated that the colleague experienced both a strange taste and smell from the water, while other items, such as his shoes, also bore the scent of chloroform.
In a police statement, Kuroda expressed growing dissatisfaction with his colleague over their five years of working together. He reportedly stated that his co-worker’s series of promotions made him feel inferior, claiming that the colleague “felt he was better” than him. Furthermore, Kuroda allegedly recounted to investigators that he had wished for something bad to happen to his colleague about a year prior, as he believed that “bad things happen to bad people.”
The criminal complaint cited by The New York Times revealed that Kuroda used the artificial intelligence tool ChatGPT to assist him in calculating the appropriate dosage of paraformaldehyde to use in the alleged act. This revelation raises eyebrows about the intersection of technology and ethical conduct within scientific research.
Following these alarming events, the University of Wisconsin-Madison confirmed that an internal investigation is currently underway and has placed Kuroda on administrative leave pending further developments. The administration has indicated their commitment to maintaining a safe and supportive environment for all students and staff.
A preliminary hearing regarding the criminal case against Kuroda is scheduled for 3:00 PM local time on April 22. This hearing will likely provide further insights into the details of the accusations and the evidence presented.
The situation at the university underscores the importance of mental health and professional relationships in high-pressure academic settings. Colleagues and students alike are closely monitoring the proceedings, concerned about how such extreme actions could arise in an environment dedicated to learning and collaboration.
As this case unfolds, it remains crucial for the community to stay informed. Information surrounding court schedules and updates regarding the investigation will be closely observed by the public and those associated with the university.