Who is Martin Nowak in the Epstein files?

Martin Nowak is an Austrian-born Harvard professor of mathematics and biology who had one of the most extensively documented relationships with Jeffrey Epstein. Epstein cold-called Nowak while he was at Princeton's Institute for Advanced Study, promised to build him an institute, and in 2003 donated $6.5 million to establish the Program for Evolutionary Dynamics (PED) at Harvard with Nowak as director. The Epstein files contain over 8,800 mentions of Nowak across more than 5,700 documents, including personal correspondence, references in media profiles, and investigative records — making him one of the most frequently appearing individuals in the entire document collection.

How much money did Epstein give to Martin Nowak's program at Harvard?

According to Harvard's own 2020 review, Epstein donated $6.5 million to the Program for Evolutionary Dynamics between 1998 and 2008, making it the largest share of his $9.1 million total gifts to the university. However, several documents in the Epstein files — including press profiles and investigative questions — reference a figure of $30 million. Epstein appeared to use the larger figure when promoting his philanthropic image. The program was permanently closed by Harvard in 2021 as part of sanctions against Nowak.

Did Epstein have access to Harvard through Martin Nowak?

Yes. Harvard's internal review found that Epstein maintained a personal office inside the Program for Evolutionary Dynamics building and used it over 40 times, typically accompanied by young women described as his assistants. This access continued even after Epstein's 2008 conviction for sex crimes. The review concluded that Nowak violated university policies on professional conduct and campus access, leading to the closure of the program and a two-year restriction on Nowak's academic activities.

Was Martin Nowak sanctioned by Harvard for his Epstein ties?

Yes. In 2021, Harvard's Faculty of Arts and Sciences sanctioned Nowak after a review found he violated policies on professional conduct, campus access, and guidelines for endorsements. His Program for Evolutionary Dynamics was permanently shut down, he was barred from supervising new students or postdocs for two years, and he lost his appointment in organismic and evolutionary biology. The sanctions were lifted in March 2023, and Nowak remains on the Harvard faculty as a professor of mathematics and biology.

Who is Martin Nowak in the Epstein files?

Martin Nowak is an Austrian-born Harvard professor of mathematics and biology who had one of the most extensively documented relationships with Jeffrey Epstein. Epstein cold-called Nowak while he was at Princeton's Institute for Advanced Study, promised to build him an institute, and in 2003 donated $6.5 million to establish the Program for Evolutionary Dynamics (PED) at Harvard with Nowak as director. The Epstein files contain over 8,800 mentions of Nowak across more than 5,700 documents, including personal correspondence, references in media profiles, and investigative records — making him one of the most frequently appearing individuals in the entire document collection.

How much money did Epstein give to Martin Nowak's program at Harvard?

According to Harvard's own 2020 review, Epstein donated $6.5 million to the Program for Evolutionary Dynamics between 1998 and 2008, making it the largest share of his $9.1 million total gifts to the university. However, several documents in the Epstein files — including press profiles and investigative questions — reference a figure of $30 million. Epstein appeared to use the larger figure when promoting his philanthropic image. The program was permanently closed by Harvard in 2021 as part of sanctions against Nowak.

Did Epstein have access to Harvard through Martin Nowak?

Yes. Harvard's internal review found that Epstein maintained a personal office inside the Program for Evolutionary Dynamics building and used it over 40 times, typically accompanied by young women described as his assistants. This access continued even after Epstein's 2008 conviction for sex crimes. The review concluded that Nowak violated university policies on professional conduct and campus access, leading to the closure of the program and a two-year restriction on Nowak's academic activities.

Was Martin Nowak sanctioned by Harvard for his Epstein ties?

Yes. In 2021, Harvard's Faculty of Arts and Sciences sanctioned Nowak after a review found he violated policies on professional conduct, campus access, and guidelines for endorsements. His Program for Evolutionary Dynamics was permanently shut down, he was barred from supervising new students or postdocs for two years, and he lost his appointment in organismic and evolutionary biology. The sanctions were lifted in March 2023, and Nowak remains on the Harvard faculty as a professor of mathematics and biology.

Back to People & Entities

Martin Nowak

Person

Also known as:

MARTIN NOWAKNowak

8,840

Total Mentions

5,705

Documents

6,456

Connected Entities

Austrian scientist

Wikipedia Official Site

Martin Nowak, a Harvard professor of mathematics and biology, had one of the deepest documented relationships with Jeffrey Epstein in the files — Epstein donated $6.5 million to found Nowak's Program for Evolutionary Dynamics at Harvard, maintained a personal office in Nowak's lab for nine years (even after his 2008 conviction), and the two exchanged thousands of emails reflecting an extensive personal and professional relationship.

Nowak appears across the documents in deeply substantive ways: direct personal correspondence with Epstein, references in interview transcripts and press profiles describing their close relationship, and lists of scientists Epstein funded and socialized with. Multiple documents describe Nowak as the director of the Epstein-funded Program for Evolutionary Dynamics at Harvard, which received $30 million according to some accounts (the Harvard review confirmed at least $6.5 million). Nowak is quoted in media profiles saying Epstein "collects scientists" like others collect art, and separate documents place Nowak at Epstein's home socializing with figures including Prince Andrew. The documents also include investigative questions directed at Epstein specifically about his funding of Nowak's program.

Key Highlights

•Epstein donated $6.5 million to establish Nowak's Program for Evolutionary Dynamics at Harvard in 2003 — the largest share of Epstein's $9.1 million in total gifts to the university
•Epstein maintained a personal office inside Nowak's lab building and visited over 40 times, typically accompanied by young women described as assistants, even after his 2008 sex crimes conviction
•Nowak was present at Epstein's home when guests including Prince Andrew were entertained, alongside other Epstein-funded scientists
•Harvard sanctioned Nowak in 2021, closing the Program for Evolutionary Dynamics and restricting his academic duties for two years; sanctions were lifted in 2023
•Nowak is quoted describing Epstein's approach to scientists: 'Just like other people collect art, he collects scientists'
•Documents include investigative questions asking Epstein directly whether he funded Nowak's program with $30 million

Frequently Asked Questions

Document Mentions (20 of 5,705)

EFTA00407728.pdf

EFTA00407728

3 mentions

llis same time — This to do is stored on an IMAP server. — It is managed by Mail; do not modify or delete it. 'When Jack Horner to ranch, possibly Martin Nowak S, Danny Hillis same time' (BEAE2967-C3A6- 4739-A0D3-32F5E94A2627] Has no due date. Is incomplete. Has no priority. Is stored in the Mail To Do cal

ubject: When Jack Homer to ranch, possibly Martin Nowak & Danny Hillis same time — This to do is stored

Subject: When Jack Homer to ranch, possibly Martin Nowak & Danny Hillis same time — This to do is stored on an IMAP server. — It is managed by Mail; do not modify or delete it. 'When Jack Horner to ranch,

EFTA00370861.pdf

EFTA00370861

3 mentions

00am Appt w/Joscha Bach ( cell 1:00 pm Meet at Martin Nowak's Institute (M . has until 2:15pm will meet you

on) cell Tues. April 22, 2014 BOSTON 9:00am Appt w/David Gergen a) (Monet is his assistant: 10:00am Appt w/Joscha Bach ( cell 1:00 pm Meet at Martin Nowak's Institute (M . has until 2:15pm will meet you at PED and then walk with you to Cambridge One. (=to go to Cambridge One at 1pm and try to secure yo

pt w/Joscha Bach ( cell 1:00 pm Meet at Martin Nowak's Institute (M . has until 2:15pm will meet you

EFTA00371375.pdf

EFTA00371375

3 mentions

From: To: Martin Nowak <:=IMI >, Martin Nowak <MMI > Cc: MI ;s Subject: Jeffrey Epstein Date: Wed, 09 Apr 2014 14:28:02 +0000 Hi Martin and Wendy...wanted you to know I

From: To: Martin Nowak <:=IMI >, Martin Nowak <MMI > Cc: MI ;s Subject

Martin Nowak, Kevin Slavin Media Lab, Room 245 (foil. Office) 75 Amherst Street, Cambridge, MA Tues. A ril 22, 2014 BOSTON 1:00pm Lunch Hal= at Martin Nowak's Institute M: and tentatively: Wed. Apri123 2014 NY-BOSTON 4:30pm TENTATIVE Appt w/Michae! Hopkins and Martin Nowak EFTA00371375

Sponsored

EFTA00370810.pdf

EFTA00370810

3 mentions

Martin's institute at 9am tomorrow. Tues. April 22, 2014 BOSTON 9:00am Appt w/David Gergen (MM) 10:OOam Appt wiloscha Bach cell 1:00 pm Meet at Martin Nowak's Institute (=: has until 2:15pm will meet you at PED and then (walk with you to Square (or where lunch is determined to be) 1:30 rnt.UNCH iv/Dan G

0:OOam Appt wiloscha Bach cell 1:00 pm Meet at Martin Nowak's Institute (=: has until 2:15pm will meet you

From: "Nowak, Martin" To: Cc: Jeffrey Epstein <[email protected]>, Subject: Re: David Gergen Date: Mon, 21 Apr 2014 17:51:28 +0000 i am at PED On Apr 2

EFTA00284996.pdf

EFTA00284996

3 mentions

D IS Martin's office # Wendy is Martin's Assistant: Wend 's Cell: April 21-22 3-5:00pm Meeting at the Media Lab at MIT w/Joi Ito, Barnaby Marsh, Martin Nowak, Kevin Slavin Media Lab, Room 245 (Joi's Office) 75 Amherst Street Cambridge, MA Tues. April 22, 2014 BOSTON 1:00pm Lunch w7 at Martin Nowak's

Media Lab at MIT w/Joi Ito, Barnaby Marsh, Martin Nowak, Kevin Slavin Media Lab, Room 245 (Joi's Office

h, Martin Nowak, Kevin Slavin Media Lab, Room 245 (Joi's Office) 75 Amherst Street Cambridge, MA Tues. April 22, 2014 BOSTON 1:00pm Lunch w7 at Martin Nowak's Institute Wed. April 23, 2014 NY-BOSTON 2:00pm Appt vti/Andy Strominger EFTA00285000 4:30pm TENTATIVE Appt w/Michael Hopkins and Martin Nowak C

EFTA00408369.pdf

EFTA00408369

3 mentions

ubject: When Jack Homer to ranch, possibly Martin Nowak & Danny Hillis same time — This to do is stored

Sponsored

EFTA00371392.pdf

EFTA00371392

3 mentions

e: Jeffrey Epstein Date: Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:58:08 +0000 I completely understand ; ) From: Date: Wednesday, April 9, 2014 at 10:53 AM To:' Cc: "Nowak, Martin" < Subject: Re: Jeffrey Epstein tremendous...) realize it can't all be done before I go of course! but anything we can set prior to next we

them as of yet? The only appointments I have for Jeffrey are: Monday April 21 3-.5:00pm Meeting at the Media Lab at MIT wfioi Ito, Barnaby Marsh, Martin Nowak, Kevin Slavin Media Lab, Room 245 (Joi's Office) 75 Amherst Street, Cambridge, MA Tues. April 22, 2014 BOSTON 1:00pm Lunch w/ at Martin Nowak's

h, Martin Nowak, Kevin Slavin Media Lab, Room 245 (Joi's Office) 75 Amherst Street, Cambridge, MA Tues. April 22, 2014 BOSTON 1:00pm Lunch w/ at Martin Nowak's Institute (M: and tentatively: Wed. April 23, 2014 NY-BOSTON EFTA00371392 4:30pm TENTATIVE Appt w/Michael Hopkins and Martin Nowak EFTA00371393

EFTA00409902.pdf

EFTA00409902

3 mentions

llis same time — This to do is stored on an IMAP server. — It is managed by Mail; do not modify or delete it. 'When Jack Horner to ranch, possibly Martin Nowak S, Danny Hillis same time' (BEAE2987-C3A8- 4739-A0D3-32F5E94A2827] Has no due date. Is incomplete. Has no priority. Is stored in the Mail To Do cal

ubject: When Jack Homer to ranch, possibly Martin Nowak & Danny Hillis same time — This to do is stored

EFTA00371394.pdf

EFTA00371394

3 mentions

On Apr 9, 2014, at 12:58 PM, "Heywood, Wendy" < I completely understand ; ) From: ' Date: Wednesday, April 9, 2014 at 10:53 AM To: " ' < Cc: "Nowak, Martin" Subject: Re: Jeffrey Epstein > wrote: tremendous...) realize it can't all be done before I go of course! but anything we can set prior to

, Kevin Slavin Media Lab, Room 245 (loi's Office) 75 Amherst Street, Cambridge, MA EFTA00371394 Tues. April 22, 2014 BOSTON 1:00pm Lunch w1 at Martin Nowak's Institute ~: and tentatively: Wed. April 23, 2014 NY-BOSTON 4:30pm TENTATIVE Appt w/Michael Hopkins and Martin Nowak EFTA00371395

t them as of yet? The only appointments I have for Jeffrey are: Monday April 21 3-5:00pm Meeting at the Media Lab at MIT wiloi Ito, Barnaby Marsh, Martin Nowak, Kevin Slavin Media Lab, Room 245 (loi's Office) 75 Amherst Street, Cambridge, MA EFTA00371394 Tues. April 22, 2014 BOSTON 1:00pm Lunch w1 at

Sponsored

EFTA00373752.pdf

EFTA00373752

3 mentions

. Jojo to pick her up and take her to 301 1:59pm Martin Nowak & Anna Yermakova to LSJ via Jet Blue #807 (Rec. L

to pick her up and take her to 301 1:59pm Martin Nowak & Anna Yermakova to LSJ via Jet Blue #807 (Rec. L

Airways #936 (Rec. Loc#FKOTJW) Fri. March 7, 2014 LSJ Reminder: to arrive NY via AA#121 at 7:55pm. Jojo to pick her up and take her to 301 1:59pm Martin Nowak & Anna Yermakova to LSJ via Jet Blue #807 (Rec. Loc. # NUFRZZ) 2:34pmS to arrive STT via United Air#1519 (rec. Loc.#ASVFNR) Sta. March 8, 2014 LSJ

EFTA00314253.pdf

EFTA00314253

3 mentions

Sat Aug 23 - Tucs Aug 26 Sat Aug 30 - Thurs 9/4 Martin Nowak- Aug 16-31 Sept 1-14 and 21-30 Oct 1-19 Seth L

23 - Tucs Aug 26 Sat Aug 30 - Thurs 9/4 Martin Nowak- Aug 16-31 Sept 1-14 and 21-30 Oct 1-19 Seth L

t's to Visit Jeffrey Marvin Minsky: Mark Tramo - Sat Aug 9 - Mon 8/11 Sat Aug 16 - Thurs Aug 21 Sat Aug 23 - Tucs Aug 26 Sat Aug 30 - Thurs 9/4 Martin Nowak- Aug 16-31 Sept 1-14 and 21-30 Oct 1-19 Seth Lloyd- Available weekends (plus a F or a M) starting September 6th, with the exception of Columbus Da

EFTA00305101.pdf

EFTA00305101

3 mentions

6:00pm Depart for Teterboro 7:00pm Wheels up from Teterboro to Harvard June 17, Friday 11:00 Appt w/Maha (Martin Nowak organized) 12:00 Lunch w/Martin Nowak & Corina Tarnita 2:00 Depart for the Minsky residence (the ride can be anywhere from 15-30 minutes depending on traffic) 2:30 Ap t w Marvin and Glor

June 16 Thursday- June 18 Saturday. 2011 Harvard Visit Hotel Charles 1 Bennett Street, Cambridge MA 02138 Confirmation Numbers: JE: Martin Nowak: Suite 6 (Assistant (Assistant) Jojo (Driver in NY): Car Service in Cambridge: June 16, Thursday 6:00pm Depart for Teterboro 7:00pm Wheels up

ridge MA 02138 Confirmation Numbers: JE: Martin Nowak: Suite 6 (Assistant (Assistant) Jojo (Driver

Sponsored

EFTA00371061.pdf

EFTA00371061

3 mentions

0:00am Appt w/Joscha Bach cell 1:00 pm Meet at Martin Nowak's Institute 1 * has until 2:15pm will meet you

Appt w/Joscha Bach cell 1:00 pm Meet at Martin Nowak's Institute 1 * has until 2:15pm will meet you

service? Tues. April 22, 2014 BOSTON 9:00am Appt w/David Geigen (MM1 (Monet is his assistant: 10:00am Appt w/Joscha Bach cell 1:00 pm Meet at Martin Nowak's Institute 1 * has until 2:15pm will meet you at PED and then (walk with you to Square (or where lunch is determined to be) 1:30pm LUNCH iv/Dan G

EFTA00318895.pdf

EFTA00318895

3 mentions

t reaching out one more time...Jeffrey will be at Martin Nowak's Institute tomorrow, Sept 17th meeting with Law

ing out one more time...Jeffrey will be at Martin Nowak's Institute tomorrow, Sept 17th meeting with Law

hen Wolfram <=I > Subject: Jeffrey Epstein Date: Fri, 16 Sep 2016 13:46:41 +0000 Hello Erik...just reaching out one more time...Jeffrey will be at Martin Nowak's Institute tomorrow, Sept 17th meeting with Lawrence Krauss, Ehud Barak, Joi Ito, Leon Peshkin and Joscha Bach at noon...the invitation is still ext

EFTA00408673.pdf

EFTA00408673

3 mentions

ubject: When Jack Homer to ranch, possibly Martin Nowak & Danny Hillis same time — This to do is stored

llis same time — This to do is stored on an IMAP server. — It is managed by Mail; do not modify or delete it. 'When Jack Horner to ranch, possibly Martin Nowak S, Danny Hillis same time' (BEAE2987-C3A8- 4739-A0D3-32F5E94A2827] Has no due date. Is incomplete. Has no priority. Is stored in the Mail To Do cal

Sponsored

EFTA00338246.pdf

EFTA00338246

3 mentions

lable to come see Jeffrey on Friday at 12:30pm at Martin Nowak's Institute at 1 Brattle Square, Suite 6... Jer

o come see Jeffrey on Friday at 12:30pm at Martin Nowak's Institute at 1 Brattle Square, Suite 6... Jer

wrote: wrote: On Fri, Oct 9, 2015 at 4:35 PM, Lesley Groff wrote: Hello Neri...might you be available to come see Jeffrey on Friday at 12:30pm at Martin Nowak's Institute at 1 Brattle Square, Suite 6... Jeremy, could you and the Bitcoin troops see Jeffrey at 1:30pm, same location, 1 Brattle Square, suite 6.

EFTA00373880.pdf

EFTA00373880

3 mentions

March 6-9 Fri. March 7, 2014 LSJ 1:59pm Martin Nowak & Anna Yermakova to LSJ via Jet Blue #807 (Rec. L

holiday March 6-9 Fri. March 7, 2014 LSJ 1:59pm Martin Nowak & Anna Yermakova to LSJ via Jet Blue #807 (Rec. L

4 LSJ MUST RE REGISTER IN THE VI TODAY MARCH 5, 2014 Thurs. March 6, 2014 1,11 Reminder: Dave on holiday March 6-9 Fri. March 7, 2014 LSJ 1:59pm Martin Nowak & Anna Yermakova to LSJ via Jet Blue #807 (Rec. Loc. # NUFRZZ) Sat March 8, 2014 LSJ Sun. March 9, 2014 LSJ Reminder: Day Light Savings Time Starts

EFTA00370783.pdf

EFTA00370783

3 mentions

hire a car service? Tues. 2014 BOSTON 9:00am Appt w/David Gegen ( 1 (Monet is his assistant: 10:00am Appt w/Joscha Bach ( cell 1:00 m Meet at Martin Nowak's Institute (=.• has until 2:15pm ( will meet you at PED and then (walk with you to Square (or where lunch is determined to be) 1:30pm LUNCH w/Dan

ppt w/Joscha Bach ( cell 1:00 m Meet at Martin Nowak's Institute (=.• has until 2:15pm ( will meet

:00am Appt w/Joscha Bach ( cell 1:00 m Meet at Martin Nowak's Institute (=.• has until 2:15pm ( will meet

Sponsored

EFTA00371230.pdf

EFTA00371230

3 mentions

From: "Nowak, Martin" 4 To: Cc: "Heywood, Wendy" Subject: Re: Dan Gilbert Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2014 14:32:43 +0000 it might be better to have all meetings at PE

Tues. April 22 2014 BOSTON 1:00pm Lunch rvi at Martin Nowak's Institute 2:00pm Appt w/Dan Gilbert at Dan's of

rt in his office at 2pm on Tues. April 22nd..it is within walking distance of Martin's Institute. Tues. April 22 2014 BOSTON 1:00pm Lunch rvi at Martin Nowak's Institute 2:00pm Appt w/Dan Gilbert at Dan's office ( ) USA EFTA00371230

EFTA00284956.pdf

EFTA00284956

3 mentions

take her to 301 Reminder=to depart for Paris via AF#9 at 11:25pm EFTA00284956 11:45am STT time (10:45am EST) Phone Date w/Dick Henriques 1:59 pm Martin Nowak &Anna Yermakova to LSJ via Jet Blue #807 (Rec. Loc. # Sat March 8.2014 LS] 1:00pne arrive STT via AA#936 2:05pm to depart STT via M#936 (Rec. Lo

#936 2:05pm to depart STT via M#936 (Rec. Loc.a) Sun. March 9. 2014 LSJ Reminder: Day Light Savings Time Starts (turn clock ahead 1 hour) 1:40 m Martin Nowak & Anna Yermakova to depart LSJ via Jet Blue #808 (Rec. Loc. Mon. March 10.2014 LSJ Reminder: you told Richard Wurman you could meet with him late Ma

EST) Phone Date w/Dick Henriques 1:59 pm Martin Nowak &Anna Yermakova to LSJ via Jet Blue #807 (Rec. Lo

Sponsored

Connected Entities(20 of 6,456)

Jeffrey Epstein