Named in the Epstein Files

Melanie Walker

Academic
Also known as: Melanie S. Walker, Dr. Melanie Walker, Melanie Starnes, Melanie Starves
3
Flights
32
Documents
9
Connections
0
Emails
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Note: Inclusion in the Epstein files or this database does not imply guilt or wrongdoing. All data is sourced from publicly released government records, court filings, and verified reporting. This page is for public interest and accountability purposes only.
Background

American neurosurgeon and neuroscientist who served as a key bridge between Jeffrey Epstein and Bill Gates. Walker met Epstein around 1992 at the Plaza Hotel in New York while fresh out of college at the University of Texas. By 1998, while doing postdoctoral work at Caltech, Epstein hired her as his ‘Science Advisor.’ She later joined the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as Senior Program Officer and Deputy Director for Special Initiatives, and served as neurotechnology and brain science adviser to Bill Gates at bgC3 (now Gates Ventures).

DOJ-released EFTA documents show extensive email chains between Walker and Epstein discussing ‘The Modern Neuron’ - a science venture she wanted to start - and mitochondria transplantation research for ischemic brain injury. In one email (EFTA00956869), she details plans to transplant mitochondria into ischemic brain stems, requests $6 million, and mentions basing operations out of Seattle. In another (EFTA00652215), she sends Epstein a draft of her letter to Gates, writing ‘women in science/medicine can do great things.

I want to be one of them,’ and mentions being on assignment at BGC3 and being a David Rockefeller Fellow. A third document (EFTA00680010) contains a thread between Walker, Bill Gates, and Casey Tegreene discussing her endovascular neurosurgery fellowship. Walker introduced Epstein to Boris Nikolic (Gates's science advisor), who in turn facilitated the first Gates-Epstein meeting in 2010.

She is currently a Clinical Professor of Neurological Surgery at the University of Washington and Harborview Medical Center, leading first-in-human clinical trials on mitochondrial transplantation for stroke - the scientific extension of ideas discussed in the Epstein emails. She is a David Rockefeller Fellow, World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, and is married to Steven Sinofsky, former president of Microsoft's Windows division.

Flight Log Appearances
No flight log records found for Melanie Walker.
Related Documents
Transcribed Interview of Bill Gates, House Oversight Committee, June 10, 2026
2026-06-10 · House-oversight · Testimony
A 138-page transcribed interview of William H. Gates, III by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, held in Room 2154 of the Rayburn House Office Building on June 10, 2026 and running from 10:00 a.m. to 3:43 p.m. Gates appeared voluntarily with counsel John Moran of McGuireWoods and Tom Clare of Clare Locke LLP. Peter Spectre, director of oversight for Chairman James Comer, stated on the record that the interview was requested under House Rule X as part of the Committee's investigation into the crimes of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, the operation of sex trafficking rings, "the ways in which Mr. Epstein and Ms. Maxwell sought to curry favor and exercise influence to protect their illegal activities," and potential ethics violations by elected officials. Questioning alternated in hour-long majority and minority rounds. In an opening statement Gates said he was introduced to Epstein in 2011 by people he trusted, that Epstein claimed he could raise billions for global health from people he advised on taxes and estates, that no giving vehicle was created and no funds were raised, and that meeting Epstein was "a grave error in judgment." Majority counsel worked through three Epstein emails released under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, the economics of science adviser Boris Nikolic's exit, an August 2013 Seattle meeting and the thank-you note that followed, three extramarital affairs, a $2 million MIT donation, a Southern Trust Company contract naming Gates, law-enforcement contacts and a roll call of names. Minority counsel moved chronologically through Epstein's calendars and estate photographs. Members questioned Gates about Melanie Walker, the September 2014 donor meetings, and whether women he saw around Epstein were victims.
house-oversight bill-gates transcribed-interview boris-nikolic epstein-files-transparency-act gates-foundation southern-trust-company congressional-record
EFTA00956869 - Walker-Epstein Mitochondria Transplantation Email
2026-01-30 · Doj · Correspondence
DOJ-released email from Melanie Walker to Jeffrey Epstein detailing her research proposal on mitochondria transplantation for ischemic brain injury. Walker describes her idea to 'transplant mitochondria into ischemic brain stems,' requests $6 million in funding, and mentions basing the venture out of Seattle. The email discusses the historical progression from blood transplants (1800s) to bone marrow transplants (1900s) to what she envisions as organelle transplantation (2000s).
efta doj-data-set-9 melanie-walker science-funding correspondence community-contribution
EFTA00652215 - Walker Draft Letter to Gates via Epstein
2026-01-30 · Doj · Correspondence
DOJ-released email in which Melanie Walker sends Jeffrey Epstein a draft of her letter to Bill Gates. Walker writes 'As you will see what starts to branch beyond medical school - women in science/medicine can do great things. I want to be one of them.' She mentions being on assignment at BGC3 (now Gates Ventures) and identifies herself as a David Rockefeller Fellow. This document demonstrates Epstein's intermediary role in Walker's professional relationship with Gates.
efta doj-data-set-9 melanie-walker bill-gates correspondence community-contribution
EFTA00680010 - Walker-Gates-Tegreene Email Thread
2026-01-30 · Doj · Correspondence
DOJ-released email thread between Bill Gates, Melanie Walker, Casey Tegreene, and others. Walker discusses her endovascular neurosurgery career and fellowship. Tegreene, the EVP and Chief Patent Counsel at Intellectual Ventures (Nathan Myhrvold's patent firm), is also part of the conversation. This document shows the overlapping professional and social networks connecting Epstein associates in the Gates orbit.
efta doj-data-set-9 melanie-walker bill-gates casey-tegreene correspondence community-contribution
Unstructured chat log mentioning several academics and media figures
2025-11-11 · House-oversight · Other
The passage is a fragmented set of messages with no concrete allegations, dates, transactions, or actionable details. It merely lists names of prominent scientists, authors, and a journalist without l Names mentioned: Melanie Walker, Martin Novak, Joscha (Back), Seth Lloyd, Lawrence Krauss, Noam Chom Timestamp of messages: June 17, 2019, early morning hours. No explicit claims, accusations, or ref
src-images-009-house_oversight_027805 chat-log timestamp metadata house-oversight names
Email chain referencing a Trump introduction among private individuals
2025-11-11 · House-oversight · Other
The passage contains a casual mention that Donald Trump introduced two private parties, but provides no concrete details about any wrongdoing, financial transactions, or policy influence. It lacks act Donald Trump is said to have introduced Jeffrey and Neal. Neal Kassell, MD, plans a New York visit Sep 25‑28, 2018. Melanie Walker claims a long‑standing relationship with Jeffrey.
personal-correspondence src-text-002-house_oversight_032804 meeting-scheduling personal-connection house-oversight political-figure
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