Kseniia Petrova, a Harvard researcher, was freed from immigration custody after a federal judge heard testimony supporting her valuable cancer research efforts. Colleagues praised her work, noting its potential for advancing medical science. Petrova, detained for smuggling frog embryos, claimed ignorance of the laws surrounding the samples she carried while returning from France. Despite the serious nature of the charges, several prominent figures highlighted the significance of her research and the high demand for her expertise in the scientific community.
"It is excellent science," Michael West, a scientist and entrepreneur in the biotech industry, testified on Petrova's research papers.
West said that Petrova's medical research skills are highly sought after and that he himself would hire her "in a heartbeat."
Petrova told The Associated Press in an interview last month that she did not realize the items needed to be declared and was not trying to sneak anything into the country.
Colleagues and academics also testified on Kseniia Petrova's behalf, saying she is doing valuable research to advance cures for cancer.
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