Romanian-American ecologist, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at Princeton University. Mentioned at least 344 times in EFTA files. Corresponded with Epstein beginning December 2008 as a PhD student under Martin Nowak at Harvard. In April 2009, provided wire-transfer details for two Romanian women to receive $10,000 and $5,000 from Epstein -- she says these were scholarships for early-career women mathematicians in Romania.
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Corina Tarnita is mentioned in documents or reporting related to the Epstein case. Being mentioned does not imply any wrongdoing, criminal conduct, or inappropriate behavior.
This dossier was generated by AI (Claude) from court filings, government releases, and other documentary sources in our database. It may contain errors or misattributions. Always verify claims against the linked source documents.
Background
Corina Tarnita (also known as Corina Elena Tarnita) is a Romanian-American ecologist and evolutionary biologist who is currently a Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Princeton University. During the period covered by the EFTA documents (approximately 2009-2012), she was a PhD student and then postdoctoral researcher working under Martin Nowak at Harvard University's Program for Evolutionary Dynamics. Her academic work focuses on mathematical biology, evolutionary dynamics, and ecology, including relationships between ants and trees.
Tarnita appears extensively in the EFTA files, mentioned in at least 344 documents according to the case database. She was listed alongside Erez Lieberman as one of '2 Harvard Genetics Researchers' in contact lists associated with Epstein's network of academic contacts. Her correspondence with Epstein was frequent and informal in tone, spanning scientific discussions, personal updates, scheduling of meetings, and requests for assistance with matters such as visa issues and financial transfers to individuals in Romania.
Epstein Connection
Tarnita's connection to Jeffrey Epstein was primarily facilitated through her academic advisor Martin Nowak, who had a well-documented financial and intellectual relationship with Epstein. She corresponded directly with Epstein beginning around late 2008 or early 2009 while a PhD student at Harvard. The relationship involved regular meetings at Martin Nowak's institute (One Brattle Square in Cambridge), direct email correspondence with Epstein's personal email (jeevacation@gmail.com), and coordination through Epstein's assistant Lesley Groff. In April 2009, she facilitated wire-transfer details for two Romanian women to receive funds from Epstein, which she has publicly characterized as scholarships for early-career women mathematicians in Romania. She was also invited to visit Epstein's island, though documents show she expressed regret at not being able to attend on at least one occasion in December 2011. She sought Epstein's personal advice on matters including visa issues.
Key Allegations(7)
Tarnita provided wire-transfer details to Epstein's office for two Romanian women to receive $10,000 and $5,000 from Epstein in April 2009.
documentedTarnita maintained regular, informal personal correspondence with Epstein from at least 2009 through 2012, including birthday wishes, holiday greetings, and personal updates.
documentedTarnita was invited to Epstein's private island and expressed regret at being unable to attend in December 2011.
documentedTarnita discussed visa issues with Epstein and sought his assistance or advice on immigration matters in March 2011.
documentedTarnita was regularly scheduled for meetings with Epstein during his visits to Cambridge, coordinated through Epstein's assistant Lesley Groff and Martin Nowak's office.
documentedTarnita's contact information was shared with Cecile de Jongh (wife of then-USVI Governor John de Jongh) in November 2011.
documentedThe wire transfers to Romanian women were scholarships for early-career women mathematicians in Romania.
allegedLegal Status
Tarnita is not known to have been charged, investigated, or called as a witness in any legal proceeding related to Epstein. She appears extensively in EFTA (Epstein Financial Trust Account) documents as a correspondent and associate, primarily in an academic context facilitated through Martin Nowak.
Notable Statements(8)
“hi jeffrey, who do you want me to give the wire transfer info”
“My name is Corina Tarnita (I work with martin Nowak). I talked to Jeffrey last night about some visa”
“dear Jeffrey, I'm so sorry i couldn't come to the island”
“i'm studying relationships between ants and trees -- ants defend trees against herbivores; trees”
“i may have a small crush on murray gell-mann... (just met him in Vienna)”
“dear jeffrey, i would need to ask for some advice (and potentially”
“i tried to call but was told you already left for the airport”
“dear jeffrey, happy birthday! i hope you're having a great day!”
Contradictions(1)
Tarnita has stated that the wire transfers she facilitated to Romanian women were scholarships for early-career women mathematicians in Romania.
The documentary evidence in the EFTA files shows Tarnita asking Epstein 'who do you want me to give the wire transfer info' on April 8, 2009, but the documents provided do not contain any scholarship agreement, selection criteria, or formal program documentation that would corroborate this characterization. The amounts ($10,000 and $5,000) and purpose are not specified in the available document excerpts.
Key Relationships(8)
Extensive direct correspondence from at least 2009 to 2012. Emails show a familiar, informal relationship including birthday wishes, holiday greetings, personal advice requests, visa assistance, scientific discussions, invitations to his private island, and facilitation of wire transfers. Shared 124 documents in the EFTA files.
Martin Nowak was Tarnita's PhD advisor at Harvard's Program for Evolutionary Dynamics. Nowak introduced Tarnita to Epstein and praised her work to him, writing 'corina scored another touch down. she solved a problem that hisashi' in August 2009. Tarnita was frequently included in communications between Nowak and Epstein. Shared 66 documents.
Lesley Groff, Epstein's executive assistant, coordinated meetings and scheduling between Tarnita and Epstein. Multiple emails show Groff arranging Tarnita's appointments during Epstein's Cambridge visits. Shared 21 documents.
Seth Lloyd appeared on the same meeting schedules as Tarnita during Epstein's visits to Cambridge, both listed at the Institute at One Brattle Square. Shared 22 documents.
Howard Gardner was listed on the same meeting schedules as Tarnita during Epstein's Cambridge visits. Shared 8 documents.
Tarnita's contact information was shared with Cecile de Jongh, wife of USVI Governor John de Jongh, in November 2011. Shared 8 documents.
John Brockman appears CC'd on correspondence involving Tarnita and Epstein. Shared 2 documents.
Tarnita expressed admiration for Murray Gell-Mann after meeting him in Vienna, writing to Epstein about it. Shared 8 documents.
Timeline(27 events)
Correspondence with Epstein reportedly begins while Tarnita is a PhD student under Martin Nowak at Harvard.
Tarnita emails Epstein asking who should receive wire transfer information, referencing 'rich in my office.' This relates to transfers of $10,000 and $5,000 to two Romanian women.
Barnaby Marsh emails in a thread involving Epstein, Tarnita, and John Brockman.
Nowak praises Tarnita to Epstein: 'corina scored another touch down. she solved a problem that hisashi'
Lawrence Krauss emails Tarnita and others: 'it was so great to meet you.'
Epstein emails Tarnita about DNA incorporating defenses and deceit.
Tarnita emails Epstein about meeting Murray Gell-Mann in Vienna.
Tarnita emails Nowak about Mandelbrot's death; Nowak forwards to Epstein.
Nowak emails Epstein (CC Tarnita) expressing excitement about a potential visit.
Group email involving Epstein, Groff, and Tarnita discussing references; mention of George Church.
Tarnita attempts to call Epstein but he has already left for the airport; multiple emails exchanged.
Tarnita emails Epstein that she is driving to Princeton for a friend's baptism.
Clifford Taubes emails Tarnita and Martin Nowak with a mathematical proof.
Tarnita sends Happy New Year email to Epstein.
Tarnita sends birthday wishes to Epstein.
Tarnita emails Epstein asking for advice on an unspecified matter.
Tarnita contacts Epstein's office about visa issues she had discussed with Epstein.
Groff confirms Nowak and Tarnita are at the institute; meeting logistics discussed.
Tarnita's contact information shared with Cecile de Jongh, identified as working in or associated with Martin Nowak's office.
Tarnita emails Epstein apologizing for not being able to come to his island, citing her parents' plans.
Exchange between Epstein and Tarnita; Epstein responds 'amazing, it will be fun.'
Tarnita confirms she will attend a meeting at Martin's institute related to an Epstein visit.
Scheduling correspondence for meeting at the institute at 4pm on the 15th.
Tarnita confirms to Lesley Groff she will be in Cambridge and completely free.
Tarnita emails Epstein apologizing for missing his visit to Cambridge.
Tarnita discusses her ant-tree ecology research with Epstein.
Scheduled meeting day at Institute at One Brattle Square: Howard Gardner (11:30), Tarnita (12:00), Seth Lloyd (3:00), George Church and Ted Kaptchuk (5:00), Dinner (6:30).
At a Glance
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Document Mentions
Schedule (1)
2012-04-15 to 2012-04-15 · 1 entries verified across multiple documents
Appointment with Corina Tarnita
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