Founded in 1981, the Thurston Arthritis Research Center is part of the UNC School of Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Our mission statement: To investigate the causes, consequences and treatments of arthritis and autoimmune diseases, and to reduce their effects on patients, their families and society.
Named in honor of Mr. Doc Jones Thurston, Jr., whose vision to create a multi-disciplinary research center at UNC-Chapel Hill dedicated to finding cures and treatments of arthritis was realized through his active philanthropy and leadership.
In 1994, thanks to a generous lead donation from Mr. Thurston, a free standing multi-purpose research facility was built and named in his honor – the first building on UNC-CH campus to be funded entirely by private philanthropy!
Research focus on the biological mechanisms as well as the psychological and social impacts of diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, lupus, and fibromyalgia.
33 Full-time staff
A staff of 73 scientists representing 17 UNC departments
22 Active research areas
Training programs concentrating on rheumatology and allergy and immunology
