US scientist with a conviction is at the helm of a brain-computer research lab in China
Charles Lieber, a convicted US scientist, heads a China-funded brain-computer research laboratory in Shenzhen, prompting concerns regarding security and technology transfer.
Charles Lieber, a former Harvard professor, has launched a new research lab focused on brain-computer interfaces in Shenzhen, sparking renewed discussions about technology transfer between the US and China, as well as national security issues.
An American scientist, previously convicted for providing false information regarding his connections to Chinese state recruitment programs, has successfully revitalized his research career in China. He currently heads a government-supported neuroscience institute that specializes in brain-computer interface technology.
Charles Lieber, 67, once a prominent chemist and nanoscience researcher at Harvard University, was convicted in 2021 of deceiving US federal authorities regarding financial connections to China’s Thousand Talents Program. He was additionally found guilty of tax-related offenses associated with payments from a Chinese university.
Following a short prison sentence and a period of house arrest, Lieber has emerged in Shenzhen, where he currently leads the Institute for Brain Research, Advanced Interfaces, and Neurotechnologies (i-BRAIN), which is affiliated with the Shenzhen Medical Academy of Research and Translation (SMART).
The laboratory specializes in brain-computer interface systems aimed at restoring movement in patients with paralysis and addressing neurological disorders. Experts, however, point out that the same technology may also be utilized for military purposes, such as research into cognitive enhancement.
Lieber’s new facility is said to feature advanced chip-making equipment, primate research infrastructure, and substantial state funding, resources that exceed what he had at Harvard University.
Chinese authorities have identified brain-computer interfaces as a crucial focus in national science and technology strategies, allocating significant funding to research centers like Shenzhen.
The resurgence of his involvement in high-level research has sparked worries among certain US security analysts. They contend that China’s capacity to attract elite scientists, even with previous convictions, underscores deficiencies in export controls and research oversight.
SMART and i-BRAIN did not respond to requests for comment, and Lieber has declined interview requests due to current commitments.
