Ivan Pavlov - a Russian Scientist

Ivan Pavlov was a Russian scientist most famous for describing the psychological phenomenon referred to as a "conditioned response". Pavlov made a number of other very important discoveries in the realm of physiology, particularly related to digestion. Indeed, it was while studying the secretion of digestive enzymes that he became interested in the integration of the body and the brain.

Born to a Russian minister on September 14, 1849, Pavlov grew up in the town of Ryazan. Due to a childhood accident, Ivan was unable to attend school as early as other children, but did get started at age 11. After finishing school he was sent to theological seminary to follow in his father's footsteps, but dropped out in 1870 to enroll at the University of St. Petersburg. It was there that Pavlov became interested in and started his career in physiology.

His first research project, under the tutelage of Elie Cyon, involved investigation of pancreatic nerves, and this work earned him gold medal honors at the university. Pavlov continued his studies at the Military Medical Academy between the years of 1875 and 1879. He finished his dissertation and earned the degree of doctor of medicine in 1883. Pavlov gained the influence of prominent researchers such as Ludwig, Heidenhain, and Bofkin during the next several years, and was named Professor of Pharmacology at St. Petersburg Institute of Experimental Medicine in 1895. Soon after this honor he became Professor of Physiology, and held that position until 1924.

Pavlov's first independent work focused on the physiology of the circulation of the blood. He studied the influence of variations in blood volume on blood pressure. He also investigated the nervous control of the heart, and argued that rhythm and strength of cardiac contractions are controlled by four types of nerves. It was during this first independent study that Pavlov used unanesthetized, neurologically intact dogs. This method became the mainstay of Pavlov's methodology.