Joel Robert Thompson

Joel Robert Thompson is a Physical Therapist specializing in inflammation and inflammatory arthritis who is currently a PhD student within UNC-CH's Human Movement Sciences Curriculum. He works within UNC's Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation (RMR) Lab with a current focus in exploring how physical therapy may be utilized to promote self-management and flare monitoring for patients with axial spondyloarthritis. He is also partly responsible for delivering the pharmacology and inflammatory arthritis content within UNC-CH's DPT program. He was the recipient of the 2025 Emerging Investigator Award in Health Services Research from the American College of Rheumatology. He currently serves on the APTA Public Policy and Advocacy Committee and on the Association of Rheumatology Provider’s (ARP) Practice Committee.