Assisting Nature

Dr Papanikolaou - Dr Najdecki

He obtained his MD degree (1994) and became specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology (2002) at the Medical School of Ioannina, University of Ioannina, Greece. From 2002 till September 2005 he was trained in Reproductive Medicine in the Centre of Reproductive Medicine at the University Hospital of VUB in Brussels under prof. P. Devroey, Prof Van Steirteghem and Prof Tournaye. Eventually, at 2005 he was appointed as a consultant in the above University clinic until end of 2006. The above university center is the pioneer clinic in the world regarding IVF and male infertility, since there was discovered ICSI, a technique which changed the root of in vitro fertilization in many aspects, leading in huge improvement in pregnancy rates. He is granted two PhD diplomas and one Master in Reproductive Endocrinology. The first PhD degree was granted to him at the University of Ioannina in 2004. His thesis was “Premature ovarian failure and endothelial dysfunction” and his supervisor was the renowned Reproductive Endocrinologist Prof Kalantaridou S. In 2008 he became Doctor of Fhilosophy at the Free University of Brussels and his thesis was “Blastocyst culture in IVF’. He also obtained the degree of Master in Medical and Pharmaceutical Research from the Dutch speaking Free University of Brussels (VUB). An educator in the reproductive endocrinology field, Dr. Papanikolaou has mentored students in the Universities Masters Program and has received several honors for his work. Recently, he is participating in the Master program in Reproductive Medicine at the University of Alexandroupoli. He was trained in Reproductive Endoscopy, Laparoscopy and Hysteroscopy in the University of Leuven in Belgium. He has performed more than 1000 hysteroscopies and he is a specialist in curing congenital uterus abnormalities like Septate Uterus.

From 2007-2010 directed the IVF centre “Biogenesis” in Thessaloniki, Greece. Since 2010 he became the director in the Human Reproduction & Genetics Foundation. In 2012-2013, he became the manager of the IVF Unit in Royale Hayat Hospital in Kuwait and Emirates. Dr. Papanikolaou has been at the forefront of several innovations and improvements in IVF treatment and is a main visionary and founder of Assisting Nature IVF Unit. The goal of the new practice was simple—to provide cutting edge fertility care in an environment that supported patients’ physical, emotional, and financial needs—and to make future business and clinical decisions based on what is in the best interest of the patients.

He is honored to publish his research in the most high ranked medical journal in the world “The New England Journal of Medicine” and his research has been cited as one of the 10 more read in our field! He has published more than 70 articles in peer reviewed journals and he acts as an external reviewer in several leading journals in Human Reproduction. He is invited lecturer in several international congresses around the world. He is actively participating in multicentre studies with leading professors in Europe and USA. He has authored many chapters in international textbooks regarding the implementation of the new IVF techniques in current practice. Dr Papanikolaou current research interests include Blastocyst embryo culture, Preimplantation genetic diagnosis, OHSS, Reproductive Endoscopy, and endometrial receptivity.He is accredited for treating male infertility problems and especially severe OAT and Azoospermia in men. Andrology techniques are involved in his every day practice and recently he is specializing into retrieving spermatozoa from the testicular tissue via the all new micro-TESE technique.

He is an active member of the Belgian Society of Reproductive Medicine (BSRM), European Society in Reproductive Medicne (ESHRE) as well as in the American Society (ASRM). He is honored to be invited as a distinguished speaker at YALE University in 2014, USA.

He graduated and received his medical degree from Medical School at the University of Warsaw in 1985 and his residency training in obstetrics and gynecology at Solec University Hospital in Warsaw. He completed the reproductive endocrinology and infertility fellowship at The Genetic Department of Children’s Memorial Health Institute in Warsaw – Poland as a member of the IVF team in 1992. One of the most important achievements of his team/ led by Prof. Wisniewski / was the second baby birth through IVF technique in Poland. In 1989, he obtained his PhD in the University of Warsaw, with his dissertation titled “Evaluation of maturity of oocytes after stimulation through IVF method.” His dissertation includes studies of multiple medication protocols in order to induce ovulation, regarding the morphological maturity in human oocytes after collection. As a reproductive gynaecologist, he finds this experience in embryology to be a very crucial in the process of improving patients care. During these pioneering years, Dr. Najdecki was deeply involved in research for a “new method” for oocyte pick up. After many years of laparoscopic OPU, he successfully introduced the first vaginal, ultrasound guided oocyte pick up, which resulted in second IVF baby being born in the nation. This first success led the way to a new era in IVF techniques that goes on until today. He has also been active in fertility research, publishing on topics ranging from fibroids, endometriosis to ovulatory dysfunction and ovarian ageing.

After moving to Greece Dr Najdecki was appointed Scientific Director of “Iatriki Erevna” IVF Unit / Medical Research/Clinic in Thessaloniki (1988 – 2005). In 2005, Dr Najdecki joined the clinical team at “Embryolab” IVF Unit in Thessaloniki and spent 8 years supporting the team in egg collections, embryo transfers and endoscopic surgeries. From 2013, Dr Najdecki is a founding partner, scientific director of Assisting Nature Assisted Reproduction Unit in Thessaloniki. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr Najdecki supervises the extensive research activities and academic ventures of the practice and he is currently holding the position of QMS director of the Unit. Many years of intensive clinical practice and academic research have shown him the limitations of conventional IVF. He is not only a strong advocate of minimal stimulation IVF protocols (Natural, Minimal, UltraMini-IVF,) for indicated patients but is an accomplished surgeon for minimally invasive procedures as well. Dr.Najdecki still actively continues his clinical research and educational activity in the field of advanced office hysteroscopy for reproductive patients. At the same time, he is constantly pursuing the development of new medical devices, novel medications, and advanced diagnostic approaches.

During his career, he has published over 25 scientific papers. He has led several large research studies and contributed to publications in top peer-reviewed fertility journals, including Fertility and Sterility and Human Reproduction. In addition, he has appeared as guest speaker at numerous scientific meetings and conferences. Dr Najdecki research interests include diminished ovarian reserve and AMH relationship, GnRh Triggering, Antagonist stimulation protocols, Office advanced Hysteroscopy for infertile patients, QMS in IVF Units, single embryo transfer, fertility preservation, preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD).

Robert Najdecki is an active member of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).