Evangelos Papanikolaou | MD, PhD
Prof Papanikolaou Evaggelos, MD, PhD, is a Reproductive Medicine Specialist. Dr. Papanikolaou is a world class recognized Specialist in Fertility treatment and was appointed as a Lecturer of Obstetrics & Gynaecology in Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece since 2015. He is ESHRE and EBCOG accredited as Reproductive Specialist.
Academic Career
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.
Professional Experience
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.
Publications & Book Chapters
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.
Memberships & Accreditations
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.
Robert Najdecki | MD, PhD
Robert Najdecki MD, PhD is a Reproductive Gynaecology Specialist. His experience in diagnosis and treatment of fertility disorders, such as endoscopic surgery is long and extensive and includes more than 6000 stimulated cycles.
Academic Career
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.
Professional Experience
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.
Publications & Book Chapters
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).
Memberships & Accreditations
Robert Najdecki is an active member of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).
Evi Timotheou | BcS, MSc
Senior Clinical Embryologist, Lab Director
Evi Timotheou received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from University of Bologna, Italy in 2004. Her thesis included research about the influence of different culture systems in human ovarian tissue preservation after cryopreservation. Evi began her embryology career in 2004 at University Hospital Sant’ Orsola Malpighi, Institute of Gynecology & Obstetrics, Human Reproduction Unit, Bologna, Italy , trained by Raffaella Fabbri in freezing / thawing ovarian tissue , ovarian tissue culture and electron microscopy techniques. She completed her internship in IVF techniques at Ravenna Hospital, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Italy in 2006. In 2007 she was recruited as embryologist at Genesis IVF Center, Patras, Greece. She joined American Fertility Services Clinic in New York, USA in 2007 and specialized in assisted reproduction techniques including pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) and extended embryo culture. In 2009 Evi joined the Team of embryologists at “IVF Athens Center” in Athens, Greece. She obtained her MSc. in Reproductive Science from University of Athens, Medical School. Her research included use of metabolomics in in-vitro fertilization for the embryo development and their relation with the genetic profile of women. From 2013 Evi is ESHRE certified Clinical Embryologist. She joined Assisting Nature as a Senior Embryologist in 2015 and was promoted to Laboratory Director in January 2016. Evi is responsible for all functions of the clinical laboratory including in vitro fertilization, ICSI, assisted hatching, testicular and epididymal sperm preparation, preimplantation genetic diagnosis, oocytes and embryo cryopreservation. Finally she is responsible for the quality assurance and quality control of the Embryology Laboratory. She has co-authored numerous research journal articles in her field and is an active member of The European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology.
Comments
Alexa
I highly recommend dr. Robert! He was very supportive throughout the whole process and provided me with detailed information about the procedure of egg vitrification beforehand. He was also very responsive and extremely nice to work with.
The whole process was smooth and very efficient. I arrived two days before the procedure, but prior to my arrival dr. Robert was answering all of my questions and also coordinating with my local physician to make sure I’m well prepared for the procedure.
All other staff at the Assisting Nature clinic was also extremely nice and caring.
Thank you so much, dr. Robert!
Yes, it is possible …
Even, after so many years of effort. I don’t remember the time when we wouldn’t try to have a baby … And it didn’t work out … A long time … We went through most of the in vitro clinics in Poland. With many stimulations and many attempts also on natural cycles. Unfortunately unsuccessful. It’s hard to blame the doctors who are not responsible for that …. But it is absolutely certain to me that there is one doctor who is responsible for our happiness. For being 15 weeks pregnant with our twins. A doctor who assists nature with professionalism and openness, conducts the most difficult conversation graced and full of optimism . Doctor Robert Najdecki, who made the entire in vitro process a beautiful experience for me, culminating in a huge success and true happiness. Indeed, Dr. Robert made me remember what it’s like to be happy. He gave us as much time as we needed. He was and still is a very close with us, not only as a doctor, but rather as a best friend. In fact, in vitro can be pleasant, calm and happy ending. Even if something goes wrong for unexplained reasons, what matters? You have the doctor and the team who guides you firstly like a humans and then like a medical staff. Without a terrible rush and five minutes in the office – that’s what we used to hear in one of the best Warsaw clinics. During these five minutes we were forced to learn that we should verify our plans to be parents. No particular justification. It’s just that not everyone has to be parents – the Head of one of the Warsaw clinics told to us.
The place that Robert and Vangelis Papanikolaou created can hardly be called a clinic (according to Polish criteria). The name itself took me in a kind of modesty and honesty. Assisting Nature is simply full of fantastic people. Doctors are surrounded by great assistants who want to be there and help. Wonderful, full of good energy, completely natural, with a sense of humor and grace. I clearly remember a call on Sunday morning from embryologist Petrula, during my procedure. She has been calling every day to say how my embryos are. I’ve never had such a nice and cheerful conversations with an embryologist before. Without stress but with fun and full of support. Yes you can do it but you have to find the right people. My full of energy fertility midwife, Fay reassured, “stop panicking, we will do it perfectly” when my menstruation late before hysteroscopy, and I was in panic about my tickets to Thessaloniki. I am full of admiration and respect for this team – because they want to do it, not because they have to. All these people are parents of my success and I really admire it.
Thank you … Thank you so much.
As You could see all the roads led me to Greece 😁
Jadwika & Waldek
Dear Assisting Nature Team,
I’m starting to get some more time and I’m taking the opportunity to write you. Since our return, everything is fine. Jacques is in great shape and he is growing well.
Every day with him is an immense happiness, even more than I imagined! I wanted to thank you for helping us achieve this dream and for helping me to experience the happiness of being a mother.
I wish you a beautiful holiday.
Best wishes,
Stephanie et Jacques
Mairlays
I am a mama thanks to this wonderful facility and their devoted staff and amazing team of doctors. I am from the states and it was such a smooth and pleasurable experience, not to mention in a beautiful country. If you were ever thinking of IVF, I highly recommend you reach out to them first. Forever grateful to them for making my mama dreams come true!
Dear Assisting Nature Team,
we would like to express our gratitude for your valuable contribution to the acquisition of our twin boys.
From our first meeting and throughout our effort
we felt you as our own people, since you inspired confidence. In addition to your excellent scientific training, you have always shown real interest and personal concern to us to give the best possible solution to our problem, as you did it!
The ultramodern environment of the clinic, combined with your excellent collaborators and support staff, won our appreciation and filled us with optimism by approaching us friendly and humane in our every visit.
All your team is like a strong chain of interconnected links under your uninterrupted supervision. We wish you to be always well and continue to give joy to all the lucky ones that appeal to you!
Yours sincerely,
M. & E.M.