University scientist allegedly tried to poison rival lab colleague over promotion: ‘I did it’
A scientist working at the University of Wisconsin is accused of deliberately contaminating a colleague’s belongings and later admitting to the act, according to law enforcement officials.
Makoto Kuroda, 41, who worked as a staff scientist at the university’s Influenza Research Institute within the School of Veterinary Medicine in Madison, is facing charges of reckless endangerment and tampering with a household product. The allegations are outlined in a criminal complaint.
The situation came to light on April 6 when university police were called to the lab after reports that a chemical substance may have been placed in an employee’s water bottle. The employee, identified in court documents as TM, became concerned after drinking from a Trader Joe’s bottle and noticing an unusual taste, prompting him to spit it out.
Two days later, TM reported detecting a strange odor coming from his shoes, which he suspected could be chloroform. Testing later confirmed the presence of chloroform in the water bottle, with levels reportedly so high that test strips could not measure them accurately.
Authorities say Kuroda later approached TM and admitted responsibility. According to the complaint, he told TM directly, “I did it,” and referenced the contaminated shoes. The encounter frightened TM, who immediately sought help from a coworker.
Investigators noted that the two men had previously been friends but had grown apart over time. Kuroda also sent an email in Japanese to a professor acknowledging his actions and expressing remorse.
During questioning, Kuroda allegedly explained that he had developed resentment toward TM over workplace issues. He cited frustrations about lab practices, including TM not consistently following safety rules, and feelings of being overlooked after TM received an additional promotion that he did not.
According to the complaint, Kuroda admitted to taking a small amount of chemicals from a lab refrigerator on April 5 and adding them to TM’s water bottle and shoes. He also told police that he used ChatGPT on his work computer to help determine the amount of substance to use, despite receiving warnings from the system.
He reportedly told investigators that his intention was simply to make TM feel unwell.
Kuroda was arrested and taken into custody on April 10. A judge later set bail at $5,000, with conditions that include no contact with TM, surrendering his passport, and avoiding all University of Wisconsin laboratory facilities.
The university stated that Kuroda has been placed on administrative leave and has lost access to campus facilities and systems while an internal investigation is underway.
He is scheduled to appear in court again on June 1.
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