A University of Wyoming graduate student has been charged with aggravated assault after investigators alleged she used a substance to harm a colleague in a university laboratory.
The university identified the case in a statement published October 13, 2026, saying the charge followed an investigation by the University of Wyoming Police Department and was filed in Albany County Circuit Court.
The accused student is Aili Wang, 32, according to court-related information made public in connection with the case.
Authorities allege that Wang contaminated tea or water used by a fellow graduate student.
The alleged victim, identified in court documents by initials, reportedly experienced unexplained health symptoms before investigators began examining activity in a shared university office.
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Poisoning: What investigators allege
According to the allegations described in the police investigation, testing detected acrylamide in water from a coffee maker used by the other student to prepare tea.
Investigators also allege that surveillance footage captured Wang entering the colleague’s workspace, handling items on the desk and rinsing a mug with liquid from her own cup.
The two students were not working in the same research area and were described in investigative documents as having a difficult relationship.
The alleged victim’s research involved technology connected to the treatment of cancer, neurological conditions and genetic diseases, according to the case materials.
Wang was questioned by campus police on October 5, 2026.
Investigators allege she denied having used acrylamide in recent years.
Arrest at Los Angeles airport
Wang was arrested October 6, 2026, at Los Angeles International Airport after authorities alleged she was attempting to leave the United States for China.
Police reportedly seized several laptops, external storage devices, accessories, records and written materials at the time of the arrest.
The arrest came shortly after the campus police interview and has become a central part of the prosecution’s effort to keep Wang in custody while the Wyoming case proceeds.
She remains accused, not convicted.
The University of Wyoming said normal student-conduct procedures are also continuing separately from the criminal case.
Charge and court process
The charge is aggravated assault.
The case was filed in Albany County Circuit Court after the university police investigation was forwarded to the Albany County Attorney’s Office.
The university has not announced a finding of guilt and said individuals are presumed innocent unless a court determines otherwise.
Details about Wang’s legal representation, extradition proceedings and any future hearing schedule may change as the case moves through the courts.
The allegations could also lead to additional legal or university disciplinary action if investigators identify further evidence or other affected people.
Why the case matters for campus safety
The allegations have raised concerns about safety in shared research facilities, where students may have access to common food, drink, laboratory equipment and sensitive research material.
Universities typically handle possible chemical exposure through a combination of campus security, emergency health services, laboratory safety procedures and criminal investigations.
In this case, the university said it is assessing the available information and will take appropriate action to protect students, faculty, staff and visitors.
The investigation remains active, and the criminal allegations have not been tested at trial.
What happens next
The next major steps are expected to involve Wang’s custody status, her transfer or return to Wyoming, and further court proceedings on the aggravated assault charge.
Prosecutors will need to establish the evidence supporting the accusation, including the alleged substance, how it was introduced and whether it caused harm to the other student.
Wang will have the opportunity to respond to the charge through the court process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was charged in the University of Wyoming poisoning case?
Aili Wang, a 32-year-old University of Wyoming graduate student, was charged with aggravated assault in connection with allegations involving a colleague.
What are prosecutors alleging happened?
Investigators allege that a substance was placed in water or tea used by another graduate student and that Wang was involved. The allegations have not been proven in court.
When was Wang arrested?
Wang was arrested on October 6, 2026, at Los Angeles International Airport, according to information released in connection with the case.
What substance was reportedly identified?
Court-related information cited in the investigation identified acrylamide in water from a coffee maker used by the alleged victim.
Is Wang guilty?
No. Wang has been charged, but she is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Fact-Checked: Key facts were checked against the University of Wyoming’s official statement and available court-related information about the criminal investigation.
Disclaimer: The allegations described in this article have not been proven in court, and the accused is presumed innocent.