About
Focusing on the interdisciplinary crossroads of Neuroscience, Neonatology, and Developmental Psychology, I am a Professor of Infant Brain Development and a member of the Advanced Health Intelligence and Brain-Inspired Technologies (ADEPT) Research Group at Oslo Metropolitan University in Norway. I am driven by the question of how the brain develops during the first 1500 days of life.
To explore this, I employ a multimodal approach that combines neuroimaging (qEEG, ABR, aEEG), behavioral, and observational techniques, alongside computational methods. My professional roles allow me to translate this research into clinical practice, particularly within the NICU setting. My work includes:
•Leading NICU-based research initiatives focused on developmental neuroscience and translational care
•Designing and implementing computational neuroscience tools and pipelines, including AI-assisted analysis of neonatal EEG and auditory data
•Curating and managing high-dimensional datasets to support precision diagnostics and intervention
•Developing personalised sound and music-based interventions tailored to neurodevelopmental needs
•Integrating family-centred and individualised medicine into neonatal care frameworks
•Collaborating across disciplines to bridge cutting-edge neuroscience with bedside care
I have trained and worked in leading international institutions, including Harvard University, the Athinoula Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, the University of East Anglia, the UCL, University of London and Bergen University in Norway. I also received postdoctoral training in applied neuroscience and neuroimaging through the International Brain Research Organisation.
I actively publish in and review for major journals in the field, and I am a member of the International Congress of Infant Studies (ICIS), the Fetal Infant and Toddler Neuroimaging Group (FIT’NG), and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), UK.
I also serve as a board member of the Bright Start Foundation for Maternal and Child Health (Switzerland), and as Associate and Guest Editor for Frontiers in Pediatric Psychology and Frontiers in Pediatric Neurology, respectively.
Beyond academia, I have experience in industry across Europe, the USA, and the Middle East, and throughout my career, I have advised entities such as the Foundation Botin in Spain, the Early Arts Foundation in the UK, and the Early Years TV Programs at the BBC, UK. In August 2023, I accepted the role of lead academic for Norway in the management committee of the EU Cost Action CA22111 - A European consortium to determine how complex, real-world environments influence brain development. Recently, I was certified by the World Health Organization as a specialist in Social Prescribing, a certification that recognizes my expertise in guiding individuals towards non-pharmacological sources of support and treatment, focusing on holistic well-being and development. Finally, after a personal invitation from Springer Nature publishing house, I have been recently appointed the editor and main author for the pioneering book titled *Infant Neuroscience and Music: Insights into Development and Medicine* (forthcoming in 2025).
Specialties: Neurobehavioural Development of Infants; Quantitative Electroencephalography; AI in the NICU data analysis; Computational Neuroscience
Fields of study
Academic disciplines
Cognitive psychology Social and occupational psychology
Subject areas
Neuroscience Music Infant Development Electroencephalography Auditory Brainstem Response Educational Habilitation
Publications and research
Scientific publications
Papatzikis, Efthymios (2024). Music and the Infant Brain: A Neuroscientific Approach. ISBN: 978-6185821-03-6. 23 p. Hellenic Association for Music Education.
Papatzikis, Efthymios
; Agapaki, Maria; Selvan, Rosari Naveena; Hanson-Abromeit, Deanna; Gold, Christian; Epstein, Shulamit; Lok, U. Wun Vivian; Barda, Evrykleia; Pandey, Varun
(2024).
Music medicine and music therapy in neonatal care: a scoping review of passive music listening research applications and findings on infant development and medical practice.
17 p.
BMC Pediatrics.
Vol. 24.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-024-05275-z
Papatzikis, Efthymios
; Dimitropoulos, K; Tataropoulou, Kassandra; Kyrtsoudi, Maria; Pasoudi, Elena; O'Toole, John M.; Nika, Angeliki
(2024).
The father’s singing voice may impact premature infants’ brain more than their mother’s: A study protocol and preliminary data on a singing and EEG randomized controlled trial (RCT) based on the fundamental frequency of voice and kinship parameters.
medRxiv.
https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.09.29.24314570
Pliogou, Vasiliki; Zaragas, Harilaos; Tromara, Sophia; Koliopoulou, Athina;
Papatzikis, Efthymios
(2024).
Distance Education in Early Childhood Education
During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Teachers’ and
Parents’ Perspectives and Experiences in Greece.
The Educational Review, USA.
Vol. 8.
https://doi.org/10.26855/er.2024.01.001
Bampa, Grigoria; Moraitou, Despina; Metallidou, Panagiota; Masoura, Elvira; Papantoniou, Georgia; Sofologi, Maria; Kougioumtzis, Georgios;
Papatzikis, Efthymios
; Tsolaki, Magdalini
(2024).
Metacognitive beliefs of efficacy about daily life situations and use of cognitive strategies in amnestic mild cognitive impairment: a cross-sectional study.
Frontiers in Psychology.
Vol. 15.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1275678
Papatzikis, Efthymios
(2023).
Music and Brain: Looking at research conducted in the first 20 years of the century (in Greek: Μουσική και εγκέφαλος: μια ματιά στο απόγειο της έρευνας των 20 πρώτων χρόνων του αιώνα).
Dritsas, Thanasis (Ed.).
Papazissis Pub..
https://papazissi.gr/product/i-mousiki-os-farmako-
Bampa, Grigoria; Tsolaki, Magdalini; Moraitou, Despina; Metallidou, Panagiota; Masoura, Elvira; Mintziviri, Maria; Paparis, Konstantinos; Tsourou, Dorothea; Papantoniou, Georgia; Sofologi, Maria; Papaliagkas, Vasileios; Kougioumtzis, Georgios;
Papatzikis, Efthymios
(2023).
Metacognitive Differences in Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment and Healthy Cognition: A Cross-Sectional Study Employing Online Measures.
Journal of Intelligence.
Vol. 11.
https://doi.org/10.3390/jintelligence11090184
Papatzikis, Efthymios
; Agapaki, Maria; Selvan, Rosari; Pandey, Varun; Zeba, Fathima
(2022).
Quality standards and recommendations for research in music and neuroplasticity.
13 p.
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences.
Vol. 1520.
https://doi.org/10.1111/nyas.14944
Kabene, Stefane M.; Balkir Neftci, Nazli;
Papatzikis, Efthymios
(2022).
Dissociative Identity Disorder and the Law: Guilty or Not Guilty?.
Frontiers in Psychology.
Vol. 13.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.891941
Swanick, Rachel;
Papatzikis, Efthymios
(2022).
Achieving Behavioural Advancement through the Dynamic Maturation Model and the Assessment of Parent–Child Interactions in a Music Therapy Context.
Behavioral Sciences.
Vol. 12.
https://doi.org/10.3390/bs12090338
