Alexander Nikolayevich Lebedev

Who was Alexander Nikolayevich Lebedev?

Alexander Nikolayevich Lebedev was a Russian biochemist. He is known for his early experiments on the biochemical basis of behavior. Lebedev apprenticed as a student with physiologist and psychologist Ivan Pavlov, becoming familiar with various techniques involved used in behavioral psychology. Lebedev developed a theory that behavior in general, and specifically conditioned behavior had a biochemical rather than psychological basis. He began his studies in biochemistry in Moscow State University obtaining a doctorate in 1898. He then proceeded to publish widely on the topic of "biochemistry of the mind" and is considered by some to have pioneered the field of Neuropharmacology.