Richard Bruce Silverman (born May 12, 1946) is the Patrick G. Ryan/Aon Professor of Chemistry at Northwestern University.

His group's main focus is basic and translational research into central nervous system disorders and cancer.

In June 1974, he received his Ph.D. from Harvard University in organic chemistry with advisor David Dolphin.

He then spent two years as a postdoctoral fellow with Robert Abeles in biochemistry at Brandeis University.

Silverman anticipated that the enzyme would increase production of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA and block convulsions.

[11] In addition to its effects on GABA-AT substrate behavior, pregabalin binds to calcium channels and blocks glutamate release.

Silverman Hall, which opened in 2009, was designed to be a collaborative and interdisciplinary facility housing researchers from chemistry, biology, and engineering.