U. of Michigan faces federal probe after Chinese scientists charged with smuggling fungus

The U.S. Department of Education has launched a federal investigation into the University of Michigan following the recent charges against two Chinese scientists connected to the school, as well as a third case involving the alleged smuggling of biological materials. Officials announced Tuesday that the probe will examine Michigan’s handling of foreign funding and possible national security risks.

Driving the news: In a statement, the department called the charges against postdoctoral fellow Yunqing Jian and visiting researcher Zunyong Liu “highly disturbing” and warned that the university’s research laboratories remain vulnerable to sabotage by foreign actors. The investigation follows the June charges against Jian and Liu and comes just weeks after a third Chinese national, Chengxuan Han, was accused of sending biological specimens to a university lab without authorization.
Scope of the investigation: The Education Department’s investigation is focused on whether the university accurately disclosed foreign funding and enforced proper security measures in its research operations. Investigators have requested financial records, contracts and information about foreign-backed projects from the past five years, stating that the university has underreported foreign contributions and failed to classify some sources appropriately.
University response: University of Michigan officials say they are fully cooperating with investigators and denounce any activity that could threaten national security. Interim President Domenico Grasso said the university is committed to transparency and legal compliance. Some advocacy groups and faculty have raised concerns that while only a small number of individuals have faced criminal charges, the investigation could contribute to growing suspicion toward Chinese and Chinese American scholars.

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