Egil Nygaard

Egil Nygaard is a Professor at the Department of Psychology, University of Oslo (2017-present), with prior roles as Associate Professor (2016-2017) and Postdoctoral Fellow (2012-2016). He holds a Dr. philos (2012) and specialist certification in clinical psychology for children and adolescents (2005). His work bridges developmental psychology, neuropsychology, health psychology, and medicine through mental health promotion and preventive interventions.

Research Focus: Nygaard leads projects evaluating the interdisciplinary theme 'Public Health and Life Skills' in Norwegian schools, investigating its impact on mental health, academic performance, and school environment. He studies prenatal opioid/polydrug exposure effects on youth neurocognition and mental health through longitudinal studies, including the 'Follow-up in youth, development and brain' project (2012-2016). His work also examines biological risk factors for cognitive development in children with Down syndrome through international research networks.

Key Contributions: He developed the Tuning in to Kids (TIK) program for emotional competence in schools/kindergartens and contributed to violence/trauma research following the Southeast Asia tsunami (2004), Utøya terror attack (2011), and Norwegian homicides (2009-2010). His publications span neuroscience, psychopharmacology, and child mental health journals.

Projects:

• Cognition and mental health in children with Down syndrome and gluten sensitivity
• Implementation of 'Health and Life Skills' in schools (HeaLS)
• Evaluation of Foreldrehverdag.no (Parental Daily Life platform)
• Tuning in to Kids in School (TIKis)