Dr. Papapanou is a professor of Dental Medicine at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine.

He is internationally recognized for his research in the epidemiology of periodontal diseases, the assessment of microbial and host-derived risk factors, the pathobiology of periodontitis, and its role in as a general health stressor in atherosclerosis and pregnancy complications. His research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, foundations and industry.

He is a member of the advisory board of several scientific journals, a Fellow of the American College of Dentists and a Past President of the Periodontal Research Group of the International Association of Dental Research.