MIT biologist named in Epstein report adopts new policies for prospective funders

Kevin Esvelt, an MIT Media Lab biologist who met with convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein as part of the university's efforts to cultivate him as a donor, has adopted new policies on prospective funders, he tells STAT. According to last week's report on MIT's interactions with Epstein, Esvelt was one of two prominent biologists who met with Epstein (the other was Ed Boyden). Esvelt’s lab website says it’s "doing [its] best to focus on supporting those who were harmed and pressing for sorely needed institutional reforms," such as a policy that the lab "not rely entirely on [its] PI, on the Media Lab Director and grants team, on the MIT development office, or on MIT central administration to vet [their] donors or associations," and other reforms listed on the lab's website. “The system failed and needs reform," the website states.