India, March 12 -- The release of millions of pages of documents known as the Epstein Files has triggered a wave of scrutiny across politics, finance and academia. Among the most unexpected arenas facing renewed attention is the world of elite scientific research, where newly examined emails, conference records and interviews reveal how financier Jeffrey Epstein cultivated relationships with prominent scientists for years through philanthropy, research funding and exclusive academic gatherings.

The documents, released in several tranches by the US Department of Justice in early 2026, form part of a sweeping archive tied to the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Federal officials disclosed more than 3.5 million pages of records, including e...