University of Wisconsin scientist accused of trying to poison lab colleague who got promotion

U.S. newsUniversity of Wisconsin scientist accused of trying to poison lab colleague who got promotion Makoto Kuroda, 41, allegedly admitted to putting chemicals in his colleague's drink after feeling that a promotion changed his colleague's attitude toward him.Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00ShareAdd NBC News to GoogleApril 21, 2026, 5:37 PM EDT / Updated April 21, 2026, 5:40 PM EDTBy Doha Madani and Karen CortesA University of Wisconsin lab worker upset about his colleague’s behavior and promotion allegedly confessed to poisoning the co-worker's water bottle. Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.Makoto Kuroda, 41, was charged with recklessly endangering safety and tampering with a household product "with the intent to kill, injure or otherwise endanger the health" of another person, according to a criminal complaint filed in Dane County last week. Kuroda allegedly admitted to a professor at the lab that he was upset at the colleague who Kuroda said failed to follow rules in addition to a number of small things "that all added up." The colleague was identified only by the initials TM in the criminal complaint. According to the complaint, TM and Kuroda met in 2017 and have worked together at the university's Influenza Research Institute in Madison for five years. The University of Wisconsin said in a statement that it became aware of the issue between two employees in the School of Veterinary Medicine and that Kuroda is on administrative leave as the university conducts a workplace investigation. Makoto Kuroda made his initial appearance in Dane County Court, where Court Commissioner Brian Asmus set a $5,000 bond for him.WMTV"His access to physical and digital university assets, and his research privileges, have been revoked," the statement said. "Due to employee privacy laws and ongoing criminal proceedings, the university does not have additional information to share at th...