A University of California,Los Angeles(UCLA) professor has come under intense public scrutiny following the release of United StatesDepartment of Justice(DOJ) documents showing he emailed convicted sex offenderJeffrey Epsteinin 2017 about research involving newborn infants and auditory stimulus.
The professor,Mark Jude Tramo, MD PhD, an associate adjunct professor of neurology at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine and adjunct faculty in the Herb Alpert School of Music, drew particular attention over a line in the correspondence that described findings on infant pacifier behaviour and maternal voice playback. Documents recently made public by the DOJ show Tramo communicated with Epstein over multiple years on subjects ranging from neuroscience research to funding proposals.
Tramo's work focuses on the intersection of neuroscience and music cognition, and he directs the Institute for Music & Brain Science. Hisresearch recordincludes studies on how auditory stimuli and musical interventions can affect physiological and behavioural responses. Peer-reviewed publications by Tramo and colleagues have examined the effects of music on pain and stress indices in premature infants, though the pacifier email itself is not linked to a published study.
The newly released DOJ files reveal a trove of email exchanges between Tramo and Epstein dating from at least 2010 through 2019. In some of these emails, Tramo discussed his research interests, potential funding opportunities, and educational matters.
A professor at UCLA was sending Jeffrey Epstein emails advising him on how to get babies to "suck harder on pacifiers" by playing them recordings of their mothers voice.This woman took issue with that and did something about it.pic.twitter.com/kO6L4iJJN2
According to documents and reporting by theDaily Bruin, Tramo forwarded messages from students seeking research advice to Epstein in 2010. Epstein's response referenced the physical appearance of the students, to which Tramo replied with a light-hearted remark on their prospects. Tramo later characterised that exchange as inappropriate and explained it as part of forwarding student inquiries to potential benefactors, saying he should not have responded at all.
Epstein's involvement with academic institutions is well-documented. He and his foundation, Gratitude America Ltd., providedfinancial support to various research initiatives, including a reported donation of £73,000 ($100,000) to the Institute for Music & Brain Science in 2017.
Tramo toldmedia outletshe viewed Epstein primarily as a potential funding source when he first made contact, noting that he knew of Epstein's conviction but not the full extent of his criminal history when they corresponded. He has stated he never visited Epstein's private properties or participated in any activity connected to the later criminal allegations.
The disclosure of Tramo'semail exchanges with Epsteinhas sparked significant backlash on social media and among the UCLA community. Students and activists have circulated petitions calling for his removal from faculty positions, arguing that any association with Epstein is untenable regardless of context.
Crowds at a small protest outside the building where Tramo teaches carried signs demanding accountability, with critics citing the email about infant research as emblematic of poor judgement. Some commentators equate the brief description of neonatal pacifier responses with broader concerns over how information might be misinterpreted in light of Epstein's history.
Source: International Business Times UK
