A recent congressional investigation has raised serious allegations against renowned geologist Wendy Mao, claiming she has facilitated the advancement of China’s nuclear and hypersonic weapons programs while working within the framework of American scientific research. The findings, outlined in a comprehensive 120-page report by the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, suggest that Mao’s federally funded research may have inadvertently supported military applications linked to China’s defense sector.
Mao, who serves as Chair of the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Stanford University, has been celebrated for her pioneering work in materials science, particularly her research on the behavior of diamonds under extreme pressure. This research has been leveraged by NASA to develop materials suitable for spacecraft operating in harsh space environments. However, the House report has cast a shadow over her esteemed career, revealing potential conflicts of interest and dual affiliations with Chinese institutions.
The investigation details how Mao’s work, funded by both the Department of Energy and NASA, became entangled with organizations associated with the Chinese military, particularly the China Academy of Engineering Physics (CAEP). This institution is recognized as China’s primary facility for nuclear weapons research and development. According to the report, while holding significant positions in U.S. research institutions, Mao maintained overlapping research ties with CAEP and its affiliates, raising alarm about national security implications.
The report’s findings underscore a troubling trend, suggesting that the U.S. research landscape has become vulnerable to exploitation by foreign adversaries. It states, “This case exposes a profound failure in research security, disclosure safeguards, and potentially export controls.” The investigation highlights that such entanglements are not mere academic coincidences but indicative of a broader strategy employed by the People’s Republic of China to harness American innovation for military enhancement.
Mao, who resides in a $3.5 million home in Los Altos, California, alongside her husband, Google engineer Benson Leung, has not publicly commented on the investigation. Stanford University is currently reviewing the allegations but has downplayed her connections to Chinese research entities. A university spokesperson stated that Mao has indicated she has not worked on nuclear technology and has not held formal ties with HPSTAR, a high-pressure research institute linked to CAEP, since 2012.
The report specifically calls attention to several of Mao’s collaborations with Chinese researchers affiliated with defense-related institutions. These partnerships have included research areas with direct military applications, such as hypersonics and aerospace propulsion. One NASA-supported paper has been scrutinized for potentially breaching the Wolf Amendment, which prohibits NASA from engaging in bilateral collaborations with Chinese entities without specific waivers.
Among the report’s stark conclusions is the assertion that systemic failures in oversight have allowed American taxpayer-funded research to support advancements in China’s military capabilities. The investigation identified more than 4,300 academic papers published between June 2023 and June 2025 that involved collaborations between DOE-funded scientists and Chinese researchers, with roughly half linked to institutions associated with China’s defense apparatus.
The implications of these findings have sparked concern among U.S. lawmakers. Congressman John Moolenaar, who chairs the select committee, described the situation as “deeply alarming,” emphasizing that the DOE has failed to secure its research processes and, by extension, compromised national security. Moolenaar has advocated for legislation to prevent federal research funding from supporting partnerships with entities controlled by foreign adversaries.
Despite these concerns, many in the scientific community argue that international collaboration is vital for innovation. More than 750 faculty members and university leaders have expressed concern that overly broad restrictions could stifle research and drive talent abroad. They have called for well-defined measures that balance national security with the need for open scientific exchange.
In response to the report, the Chinese Embassy in Washington has categorically rejected the allegations, characterizing them as politically motivated efforts to undermine international scientific collaboration. Embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu asserted that the report lacks credibility and accuses U.S. politicians of misusing national security rhetoric to hinder normal research activities.
As the scrutiny surrounding Wendy Mao intensifies, her distinguished career as an innovator in high-pressure physics faces a significant challenge. The investigation serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and vulnerabilities inherent in scientific collaboration in an age of geopolitical rivalry, highlighting the necessity for robust safeguards to protect national interests in the realm of research and innovation.
