Renowned Indiana University Cybersecurity Professor Dismissed as FBI Conducts Home Raids
The tenured professor’s dismissal was described as occurring ‘without due process’ by the American Association of University Professors.
An esteemed cybersecurity professor from Indiana University was terminated from his position on the same day that the FBI and Department of Homeland Security executed search warrants at his residences, as indicated in a letter from his union sent to the university on March 31.
The letter stated that Wang XiaoFeng, a faculty member at the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering, was let go on March 28, following searches conducted at two properties linked to him and his wife, Nianli Ma.
Wang had been serving as the associate dean for research at the Bloomington, Indiana campus.
The letter emphasized that “Termination of a tenured faculty member is an action that warrants the utmost scrutiny and due process.” It further noted that Wang’s termination occurred without the necessary notification and a hearing before the Faculty Board of Review.
The union acknowledged awareness of reports suggesting that Wang is under investigation by law enforcement entities.
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The union remarked, “Even though the conclusions of these investigations could eventually influence Professor Wang’s ongoing tenure at IU, the presence of an investigation or unproven claims does not justify the administration’s failure to adhere to university protocols. It is essential to maintain the principle that individuals are presumed innocent until a guilty verdict is established.”
They urged the university to overturn Wang’s dismissal and ensure that he is granted due process.
The reasons behind Wang’s termination remain unclear.
According to Alex Tanford, a law professor at Indiana University and president of the Bloomington chapter, a complaint was lodged against Wang in mid-February, alleging research misconduct relating to improper disclosure of the principal investigator on a grant application.
The complaint also claimed Wang did not fully list all co-authors on an article, as mentioned by Tanford.
It remains unknown whether this complaint is connected to his dismissal.
Tanford stated that Wang’s department informed the union that Wang was expected to take a position elsewhere next year, and normal advance notice was provided for the school’s planning purposes.
Wang, who studied in China during the 1990s before moving to the United States, has been a faculty member at Indiana University since 2004.
Wang has received multiple accolades for his contributions, including the PET Award for exceptional research in privacy-enhancing technologies.
Following the termination, the university has taken down online profiles for both Wang and his wife.
A lawyer representing Wang clarified that the computer science professor has not been arrested, and no criminal charges are pending against either him or his wife.
“Prof. Wang and Ms. Ma sincerely appreciate the immense support they have received from colleagues at Indiana University and the broader academic community,” stated attorney Jason Covert. “They are eager to clear their names and return to their accomplished careers once the investigation concludes.”
A federal judge mandated that the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana respond to this motion by April 17.
The Epoch Times has reached out to representatives of Indiana University, the DHS, and the FBI for their comments.
Contributions to this report were made by Reuters.
