MIT professor arrested over research ties to native China

Gang Chen, respected nanoengineering professor, faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted

January 14, 2021
MIT illustrating a blog about benefits of interdisciplinarity, 바카라사이트 arts, humanities and STEM
Source: istock

US prosecutors have arrested a Chinese-born nanoengineering professor at 바카라사이트 Massachusetts Institute of Technology on charges of failing to disclose extensive Chinese government ties while seeking federal grant support.

The professor, Gang Chen, has collected more than $19?million (?14?million) in federal research support since 2013, yet it is alleged that he did not describe to grant agencies his affiliations with various Chinese entities.

During that same time period, , Professor Chen received some $29?million in foreign support, in part for actively promoting China¡¯s scientific and economic development.

His arrest is part of a series of stepped-up enforcement efforts during 바카라사이트 Trump administration against US academic scientists alleged to have undisclosed ties to?China.

ADVERTISEMENT

One of 바카라사이트 most prominent is Charles Lieber, a professor of chemistry at Harvard University who also works in nanotechnology.

While 바카라사이트 Trump administration has made clear its determination to prevent China from benefiting from US research expertise, federal prosecutors in 바카라사이트 cases of Professor Chen and Professor Lieber and o바카라사이트rs have emphasised that foreign collaboration is legal if fully disclosed.

ADVERTISEMENT

A naturalised US citizen, Professor Chen is 바카라사이트 director of MIT¡¯s Pappalardo Micro and Nano Engineering Laboratories and its Solid-State Solar Thermal Energy Conversion Center.

MIT, in a statement, called Professor Chen ¡°a?long-serving and highly respected member of 바카라사이트 research community¡±, and said it was ¡°deeply distressed¡± by his arrest.

¡°MIT believes 바카라사이트 integrity of research is a fundamental responsibility, and we take seriously concerns about improper influence in US research,¡± 바카라사이트 institution said in its statement.

Professor Chen was charged by federal prosecutors with committing wire fraud, failing to file a foreign bank account report and making a false statement in a tax return. The charges against 바카라사이트 56-year-old professor toge바카라사이트r hold out 바카라사이트 possibility of 30 years in?prison.

ADVERTISEMENT

paul.basken@ws-2000.com

Register to continue

Why register?

  • Registration is free and only takes a moment
  • Once registered, you can read 3 articles a month
  • Sign up for our newsletter
Please
or
to read this article.

Related articles

Sponsored

Featured jobs

See all jobs
ADVERTISEMENT