Jeffrey Epstein’s charity funded a 2012 study by USC scientists into a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer’s, a newly discovered press release shows.
One of the researchers on that study was Keck School of Medicine Professor Dr. Berislav V. Zlokovic. Emails from Epstein’s inbox, released by the Department of Justice on Friday, show that in 2015, Zlokovic emailed Epstein with a funding proposal, asked to meet and expressed interest in becoming a “scout for [Epstein’s] foundation.” It is unclear whether Epstein financed research for the university after 2012 or if Zlokovic kept in touch; no additional emails between the two had been made public by the time of publication.
Years prior, Epstein was convicted on two counts of soliciting prostitution, including from a minor. He was in jail from June 2008 through July 2009.
Zlokovic’s 2015 request has not previously been reported.
The 2012 research funded by Epstein’s charity, the Jeffrey Epstein VI Foundation, established a genetic link to Alzheimer’s disease. It was co-produced by Zlokovic and fellow Keck professor Dr. Abhay Sagare, alongside researchers at Rochester University in New York. The work also was funded by the Alzheimer’s Association.
Three years later, in March 2015, Zlokovic wrote to Epstein twice, proposing various research projects for Epstein to fund. Zlokovic suggested two of his own, both studying Alzheimer’s and blood flow in the brain. He also asked to be a “scout for the foundation to pick the best research projects in the fields that interest [Epstein].”
The university said in 2019 it never received money from Epstein. When asked this week about the 2012 Alzheimer’s research funded by Epstein’s foundation, a university spokesperson said the school denied knowing about any funding from Epstein:
“We are unaware of any funding received by USC from Jeffrey Epstein or any entity related to him.”
In 2024, Zlokovic was placed on indefinite leave by the university after whistleblowers accused him of manipulating research papers. USC tapped Keck professor Dr. Steve Kay to serve as acting director. As of Feb. 4, Zlokovic is still listed online as the director of the Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute and the chair of Keck’s physiology and neuroscience department.
Zlokovic did not respond to requests for comment, and Keck referred Annenberg Media to the university’s statement.
Epstein’s emails include correspondences with thousands of people; simply being named within them does not suggest any illegal activity.
Other emails released by the Justice Department revealed that USC neuroscience Professor Antonio Damasio asked Epstein for research funding in 2012. He and his wife first met Epstein in 2009 and were invited to fly Epstein’s plane and visit his island at least once. They never accepted, and Epstein never funded his work.