Newly released Department of Justice documents have placed University of California, Los Angeles neurologist Mark Jude Tramo under renewed scrutiny, after emails revealed he corresponded with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2017 about research involving newborn infants and auditory stimulation.
The emails, disclosed in a broader tranche of Epstein-related materials, show Tramo discussed scientific findings on neonatal pacifier behavior and maternal voice playback while seeking research funding. The exchanges, which span nearly a decade from 2010 through 2019, have triggered protests on the UCLA campus and revived questions about academic institutions' past relationships with Epstein.
Tramo, an associate adjunct professor of neurology at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine and adjunct faculty member at the Herb Alpert School of Music, directs the Institute for Music & Brain Science. His work focuses on music cognition and how auditory stimuli affect physiological and behavioral responses.
According to the documents, Epstein's foundation, Gratitude America Ltd., donated £73,000 (about $100,000) in 2017 to support Tramo's institute. Emails show discussions ranging from research proposals to student inquiries.
Reporting by the Daily Bruin indicated that in 2010 Tramo forwarded student emails to Epstein seeking advice about research opportunities. Epstein's reply referenced the physical appearance of the students. Tramo responded with what he later described as a light remark. In subsequent interviews, Tramo acknowledged the exchange was inappropriate and said he should not have responded.
Tramo has said he viewed Epstein primarily as a potential donor and was aware of his prior conviction but not the "full extent" of his criminal history at the time of their correspondence. He has stated he never visited Epstein's properties and was not involved in activities tied to the later sex-trafficking charges.
The specific 2017 email that has drawn attention referenced research findings on infant pacifier responses to auditory cues. Specialists in neonatal medicine note that such studies are a common component of developmental research, exploring whether recordings of maternal voices can soothe premature infants and improve feeding reflexes.
Academic publications by Tramo and colleagues have examined how music and sound exposure influence stress and pain markers in neonatal intensive care settings. The pacifier-related language in the email was not tied to a published study but described behavioral observations consistent with existing neonatal science.
Despite that context, reaction on campus has been swift. Students circulated petitions calling for Tramo's removal, arguing that any association with Epstein is incompatible with institutional values. A small protest was held outside the building where he teaches, and his faculty profile was removed from UCLA's media guide website.
University officials have not publicly detailed whether a formal review is underway. The case highlights broader tensions universities face when addressing historical ties to Epstein, whose philanthropic outreach extended to multiple academic institutions.
