Abdulla Ismail ogly Garayev was born on January 14, 1910 in Baku. He studied at secondary school No. 10. In 1927 he graduated from the pedagogical college of the Baku Department of Public Education. Abdulla Garayev, who started working in the same year, also fulfilled his dream of pursuing a higher education. In 1930 he graduated from the natural department of the pedagogical faculty of the Azerbaijan State University (now Baku State University). After graduating from the university, as an unusually talented and hardworking graduate, he got a job at the Department of Human and Animal Physiology at the university. He worked under the guidance of Professor P. Ya. Rostovtsev and devoted his life to the development of theoretical and experimental physiology.
In 1932-1936 he successfully graduated from the Azerbaijan State Medical Institute. As a result of several years of intense scientific work, the young scientist successfully defended his PhD in 1937 in two consecutive subjects. He was awarded the title of candidate of medical sciences as a young scientist for fundamental scientific work on the essence of the role of water carbons (carbohydrates) in electrical phenomena occurring in skeletal muscles. For his second dissertation, “Toward the Physiology of the Diaphragm”, he received his PhD in Biology. In 1937-1938 he worked as the dean of the Faculty of Nature of the Azerbaijan State Pedagogical Institute.
In the scientific experimental physiological laboratory, created in 1938 on his initiative at the Institute of Balneology and Physiotherapy, in the direction of studying the therapeutic effect of Naftalan oil, which has no analogues in the world, the healing waters of Azerbaijan (Badamly, Istisu, Turshsu, etc.) and preparations from medicinal plants on the human body, experimental and clinical studies have been carried out. The young scientist devoted an important part of his life to research in the direction of studying and developing the rich resort resources and balneological factors of Azerbaijan. More than 50 of his scientific works are devoted to the impact on the human body and animals of Naftalan oil, Turshsu, Istis, Badamly, Darydag and other healing waters. The discovery of fat in healing oil inspired the young scientist to new research. In this regard, his monograph “Naftalan, its biological effect and therapeutic use” (together with R. Aliyev and A. Babayev) attracts more attention.
In 1934-1935, in the Laboratory of General and Comparative Physiology of Mikhail Vasilyevich Lomonosov Moscow State University, he conducted research on local excitation caused by subconscious (in other words, weaker than the lower threshold of irritation) stimuli, and the effect of these excitations on the functional state of the body. In 1940, Abdulla Garayev, who defended his doctoral dissertation on the topic “On the Theory of Bioelectric Phenomena”, put forward his extremely original theory against the background of the theories that existed at that time about the origin of bioelectric phenomena. Thus, the physicochemical theory of Yu. Bernshtein on the origin of bioelectrical phenomena turned out to be completely untenable, and he managed to solve one of the most important issues of electrophysiology.
For these achievements, in 1932 he was awarded a one-year assignment to Moscow and Leningrad (now St. Petersburg). While on a business trip in Leningrad, Abdulla Garaev worked in the laboratories of Ivan Petrovich Pavlov and met with him personally. Although he did not work in these laboratories for long, he made some valuable experiments. In 1935, for the second time, he visited the physiological laboratories of Academician Ivan Petrovich Pavlov.
In 1940 he graduated from the Evening Institute of Marxism-Leninism.
His exceptional organizational skills became more evident when he worked in various positions at the Azerbaijan State University (ASU). In 1941-1942, he was the Dean of the Faculty of Biology of ASU, and on his initiative, the Academic Council of the faculty received the right to accept dissertations in various areas of biology, as well as human and animal physiology. In 1942, Abdulla Garayev, the first Azerbaijani professor in the field of physiology, worked as the second professor at the Department of Normal Physiology of the Azerbaijan State Medical Institute, as well as the head of the Department of Human and Animal Physiology at the Azerbaijan State Medical Institute.
In 1942-1944, he worked as vice-rector of the scientific department of the Azerbaijan State University, and from September 1944 to October 1950 – rector. In particular, it should be noted that during his work at the university, all areas of science developed harmoniously, new departments and faculties were opened, and wide opportunities were created for the training of highly qualified personnel. Honored and talented specialists of the university were sent to the former Soviet republics to conduct scientific research.

For these achievements, in 1932 he was awarded a one-year assignment to Moscow and Leningrad (now St. Petersburg). While on a business trip in Leningrad, Abdulla Garaev worked in the laboratories of Ivan Petrovich Pavlov and met with him personally. Although he did not work in these laboratories for long, he made some valuable experiments. In 1935, for the second time, he visited the physiological laboratories of Academician Ivan Petrovich Pavlov.
In 1940 he graduated from the Evening Institute of Marxism-Leninism.
His exceptional organizational skills became more evident when he worked in various positions at the Azerbaijan State University (ASU). In 1941-1942, he was the Dean of the Faculty of Biology of ASU, and on his initiative, the Academic Council of the faculty received the right to accept dissertations in various areas of biology, as well as human and animal physiology. In 1942, Abdulla Garayev, the first Azerbaijani professor in the field of physiology, worked as the second professor at the Department of Normal Physiology of the Azerbaijan State Medical Institute, as well as the head of the Department of Human and Animal Physiology at the Azerbaijan State Medical Institute. Azerbaijan State University.
In 1942-1944, he worked as vice-rector of the scientific department of the Azerbaijan State University, and from September 1944 to October 1950 – rector. In particular, it should be noted that during his work at the university, all areas of science developed harmoniously, new departments and faculties were opened, and wide opportunities were created for the training of highly qualified personnel. Honored and talented specialists of the university were sent to the former Soviet republics to conduct scientific research.
Abdulla Garayev was also engaged in the study of immunobiological and protective-adaptive reactions of the body. His monograph “Physiology of phagocytosis” was published in 1960 on the basis of his deep scientific research on the study of the phagocytic activity of leukocytes in connection with changes in the internal and external environment of the body.
During his tenure as chairman of the Azerbaijan Higher and Secondary Education Committee, he made great efforts to develop and expand educational institutions. So, in 1961-1963, as chairman of the committee, he paid special attention to strengthening the material and technical base of universities, opening new faculties and specialties. On February 2, 1968, by the decision of the collegium of the State Committee for Science and Technology of the Council of Ministers of the USSR, the Institute of Physiology of the Academy of Sciences of the Azerbaijan SSR was established on the basis of the Department of Physiology. Academician Abdulla Garayev was appointed director of the institute. Currently, this institute is named after him, as well as a street in the city of Baku.
Abdulla Garayev, known as an experienced specialist and a person of high qualities, always took care of his employees and did not spare help in solving their problems. In 1947 he was elected a deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the Azerbaijan SSR, and in 1948 – a deputy of the Baku City Council of Working People’s Deputies. He was awarded the Order of Lenin, the Order of the Red Banner of Labor 3 times, the Order of the Red Star and medals. He is the author of 7 monographs and more than 300 articles.

In 1951-1968, Ivan Petrovich was the chairman of the Azerbaijan branch of the All-Union Society of Physiologists named after Pavlov, deputy chairman of the Board of the Azerbaijan Society “Bilik”. In 1968, with the guarantee of the Soviet National Committee, he was elected a member of the IBRO (UNESCO International Brain Research Organization). Participated in international congresses of physiologists (Leningrad – 1935; Buenos Aires – 1959; Leiden – 1962; Tokyo – 1965).
On February 2, 1968, by the decision of the collegium of the State Committee for Science and Technology of the Council of Ministers of the USSR, the Institute of Physiology of the Academy of Sciences of the Azerbaijan SSR was established on the basis of the Department of Physiology. . This is the result of the hard work of academician Abdulla Garayev. He was appointed the first director of the institute. At present, this scientific center has been named after Academician A.I. Garayev.
Years will pass, but the bright memory of Abdulla Garayev, the unforgettable son of our people, who won immortality with his bright life, will forever remain in our hearts. Future generations will always remember him as a great personality, an outstanding scientist, doctor, public figure.