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Neuroscientist's Suicide Sparks Lawsuit Against Northwestern University

12/4/2025

Summary

Story summary

Jane Wu, a Chinese-American neuroscientist and former Northwestern University professor, died by suicide in July 2024 at age 60, prompting her family's civil lawsuit.
The lawsuit alleges that Northwestern's handling during the China Initiative marginalized her by cutting funding, shutting down her lab, and forcibly removing her to a psychiatric unit.
Northwestern denies the allegations and has moved to dismiss the case.
A hearing is set for February.

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Story summary

Jane Wu, a Chinese-American neuroscientist and former Northwestern University professor, died by suicide in July 2024 at age 60, prompting her family's civil lawsuit.
The lawsuit alleges that Northwestern's handling during the China Initiative marginalized her by cutting funding, shutting down her lab, and forcibly removing her to a psychiatric unit.
Northwestern denies the allegations and has moved to dismiss the case.
A hearing is set for February.