Monument to outstanding scientist Avetik Burnazyan unveiled in Moscow

A monument commemorating Avetik Ignatyevich Burnazyan, the founder of Soviet radiation medicine, has been installed on the grounds of the A. I. Burnazyan Federal Medical Biophysical Center, which is part of Russia’s Federal Medical-Biological Agency.

The unveiling of the monument is dedicated to three significant dates: the 120th anniversary of Burnazyan’s birth, the 80th anniversary of the Federal Medical Biophysical Center bearing his name, and the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster.

Avetik Burnazyan was born in 1906 in the city of Nor Bayazet (now Gavar). He began his professional career as a military doctor. His work played a key role in shaping unified principles for treating wounds and standardizing medical care in field conditions.
During World War II, Burnazyan introduced into practice an advanced blood transfusion method developed by Soviet surgeon Nikolai Elansky. He also actively participated in the development of domestic penicillin, placed primary emphasis on triage and the evacuation of the wounded, and worked on preventing infectious diseases. In 1945, he was awarded the rank of lieutenant general of the medical service.

Thanks to Burnazyan’s high professionalism and dedication, thousands of lives of Soviet servicemen were saved. After the war, he was appointed the first head of the newly established State Radiation Safety Service and the Medical and Sanitary Service, founded in 1946.

The scientist made an invaluable contribution to the development and testing of the first Soviet atomic and hydrogen bombs, ensuring safety during rocket launches, and creating a system of biomedical support for space flights. He was also among the pioneers in developing life-support systems for the country’s nuclear fleet.

In 1946, with his direct participation, a specialized radiation laboratory was established, which was later transformed into the Institute of Biophysics of the USSR Ministry of Health. In 2007, by order of the Federal Medical-Biological Agency of Russia, the “A. I. Burnazyan” badge was instituted, awarded to agency employees for outstanding professional achievements. Burnazyan was honored with the title Hero of Socialist Labor. He was awarded six Orders of Lenin, three Orders of the Red Banner, the Order of the Red Star, and many other state decorations.