Paul H. Silverman, 79; Pioneered Research on Genome and Stem Cells

Paul H. Silverman, 79, a pioneer in genome and stem cell research and an early advocate of the Human Genome Project, died July 15 in Irvine of complications after bone marrow replacement.

In 1987, Silverman established the nation’s first human genome center, a joint effort between the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and UC Berkeley, with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy.

During his long and varied career, Silverman established the first immunoparasitology center -- at Glaxo Ltd. in London -- and was director of scientific affairs of Beckman Scientific Corp. of Fullerton as well as a board member of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc. in Irvine.

A native of Minneapolis, Silverman studied at the University of Minnesota, earned a bachelor’s degree from Roosevelt University, a master’s degree from Northwestern and two doctorates from the University of Liverpool in England.

He taught, conducted research and held administrative positions at universities around the world. His university posts included provost of the State University of New York, president of the University of Maine and vice president of the University of New Mexico. From 1993 until his retirement in 1996, Silverman was associate chancellor of UC Irvine, doing research and raising funds for research facilities in its College of Medicine.