Physicist puts work with Waterloo, Ont., research centre on pause after Epstein ties revealed

Lee Smolin in an undated photo from the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics in Waterloo, Ont. (Source: Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics)

Lee Smolin, a founding member of the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics in Waterloo, Ont., has been asked to “pause his working relationship” with the research centre while its leadership does a “careful” review of Smolin’s alleged ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

In a statement to CTV News on Friday, a spokesperson for the Perimeter Institute said Smolin agreed to their request, and they will “address this matter accordingly.”

There have been no allegations of wrongdoing by Smolin.

Smolin currently works on a part-time basis at the research centre and is also on the faculty list at the University of Waterloo and University of Toronto.

According to his biography on the Perimeter Institute’s website, Smolin is a theoretical physicist focused on quantum gravity, though he has expanded his field of study to include theoretical biology, philosophy of science and economics. His accomplishments include being named a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and receiving the Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.

Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to procuring a child for prostitution and soliciting a prostitute, as part of a plea deal agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice. He served a 13-month sentence, which included a generous work release schedule. Epstein was arrested again in 2019 on sex trafficking charges involving minors. He died in his jail cell a month later in what was later ruled to be a suicide by hanging.

On Nov. 19, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump signed the “Epstein Files Transparency Act” into law and millions of pages of documents, including correspondence, were subsequently released on the Department of Justice’s website.

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Email messages between Epstein and Smolin were included in those files.

One exchange was dated Sept. 26, 2009, two months after Epstein left jail.

It said: “Dear Jeffrey, I hear that you are out and living there at home. Hope all is well, would love to see you and catch up some point.”

Epstein replied: “I would gladly fly ou[t] to florida for a weekend with your family.. i will organize an apt tickets and apt at your convenience.”

To that, Smolin answered: “Jeffrey, that’s a very nice invitation. Thank you.”

Some of the emails touched on Smolin’s academic work while, in others, the pair discussed plans to meet up.

One document was a letter, dated June 9, 2015, on behalf of “Enhanced Education” or “J. Epstein Virgin Islands Foundation, Inc.” It stated the organization was “known for giving substantial grants to fund leading edge scientific research around the world,” including scientists such as Smolin.

CTV News asked Smolin about his personal and financial relationship with Epstein.

Smolin replied: “It is on the record that I received a grant from the Jesse Philips Foundation to Pennsylvania State University to help support my research group from 1997 to 2001. I received no funding after I moved to Canada.”

CTV News did not find any connection between Jeffrey Epstein and the Jesse Philips Foundation, a private philanthropic organization now known as the Jesse and Caryl Philips Foundation.

Smolin also did not comment on his years-long correspondence with the convicted sex offender or explain why multiple emails cited sponsorship of Smolin by the Jeffrey Epstein VI Foundation.