UW-Madison researcher pleads not guilty in poisoning case

A University of Wisconsin-Madison researcher accused of poisoning his colleague in the lab pleaded not guilty to the charges in court.

Makoto Kuroda, 42, appeared Aug. 6 in Dane County Circuit Court for his arraignment. He was charged in April with second-degree recklessly endangering safety and tampering with products to cause harm. If convicted, he could face a maximum 16 years sentence and a maximum fine of $35,000.

Kuroda, a staff scientist at the Influenza Research Institute, added common lab chemicals to a co-worker’s water bottle and in his shoes, a criminal complaint said. Both work in the School of Veterinary Medicine.

Kuroda told police he was angered by the co-worker’s attitude after a promotion and his disdain for following lab rules.

The co-worker told investigators Kuroda came up to him and said he had poisoned him, according to the complaint. Kuroda also admitted his guilt to his lab supervisor in an email, the complaint said.

Kuroda is on administrative leave while UW-Madison conducts a workplace investigation, the university said in a statement. His research privileges have been revoked.

Kuroda earned about $82,600 in the 2024-25 school year, according to UW system salary records.

A pre-trial conference is scheduled for Sept. 25.