Dr. Jerald Silverman was a true giant in the laboratory animal science community. Jerry was a loving husband and father and a compassionate friend and colleague. Jerry was also a skilled veterinarian, teacher, administrator, author, IACUC expert, and animal welfare advocate. At 6 feet 4 inches, he was the proverbial giant in the room.

Jerry received his DVM from Cornell and went to the New School for Social Research for a master’s in non-profit organizational management.

Jerry will be remembered as the long-time editor of Lab Animal magazine's "Protocol Review" column. He was also the author of several scientific and management journal articles. His last publication was an inclusive textbook on the function and operation of the IACUC.

Jerry served as facility director and veterinarian at The Ohio State University, Drexel University (formerly Hahnemann University and The Medical College of Pennsylvania), and The University of Massachusetts. He was Professor of Pathology at Drexel University and the University of Massachusetts. Jerry also directed and taught the Master of Laboratory Animal Science Program at Drexel University. Numerous current facility managers and veterinarians received instruction from Jerry.

Everyone who knew Jerry had a story about him … the time he ran after and caught a purse-stealer at an AALAS National Meeting in San Antonio … his notorious diatribes when an issue was, in his mind, "all wrong" … and his incredible writings on IACUC and protocol items.

If you could argue your point well, and prove your hypothesis, you and Jerry would be friends for life, even if you were on the opposite side of his view.

He was fearless, reaching out to Ingrid Newkirk and essentially saying, "Hey, we both love animals, let's talk" and starting a dialog with her.

COVID-19 stole a gentle giant from lab animal science.

To read Jerry’s obituary in Nature Portfolio’s Lab Animal, click here.

To see Jerry’s photo and bio displayed on the AALAS Foundation Memorial Wall of Honor, click here.