Paz, Jacob, Dr.

Dr. Jacob Paz was born November 14, 1938 and grew up in an agricultural environment in Israel where he attended Kadoorie High School. After his graduation, Paz joined the Israeli army. He attended technical school for two years and started working for the Israel Atomic Energy commission in Dimona, Israel, making atomic bombs. Paz was accepted into University of California Davis, and moved to the United States to study veterinary medicine.

After one semester of attendance, Paz realized he preferred history and left California for New York City, New York. There, he earned degrees in Jewish history and chemistry from the Jewish Theological Seminary. Paz earned his master’s degree in marine science and environment from CW Post, Long Island University in Greenvale, New York. In 1972, he returned to Israel to study a synthetic compound in the Jordan River and Lake Tiberus. After Hebrew University hesitated to fund his research any further, he enrolled in New York University. In 1984, he received his doctorate from Polytechnic University in New York City.

Dr. Paz arrived in Nevada in 1989 to work as an industrial hygienist for a Nevada Test Site contractor. During his career at the test site, he raised concern about the presence of a high level of carcinogens in the mines of Yucca Mountain. He outlined his views of weaknesses by the Department of Energy to execute the proper protections for the workers. Paz resigned from his position at the Nevada Test Site in 1991.