Kent Thornburg, Ph.D., is a world class scientist, mentor and leader, as well as an invaluable colleague and friend to many. Upon his retirement, we want to honor his legacy with a Named Professorship to support future exceptional scientists and leaders at OHSU, where he spent the entirety of his 50-year career.
Kent had a global impact on our understanding of how the seeds of chronic disease risk are sown during pregnancy and early life. He was pivotal in the establishment of the thriving field of research now known as the Developmental Origins of Health & Disease (DOHaD). His long-term partnership with David Barker, M.D., Ph.D., FRS, helped bring the field, and David, to the U.S.
Perhaps most influential has been Kent’s relentless optimism and tireless enthusiasm for connecting scientists across disciplines. He has been instrumental in developing networks of researchers across the globe whose scientific interests intersect with developmental origins. He’s been a leader in many associations, including International DOHaD, IFPA, SRI and PRS. And he convinced many a young scientist to follow in his footsteps, mentoring them along the way.
Kent was also an influential leader at OHSU. He established the Heart Research Center to unite cardiovascular research across the institute. Now known as the Center for Developmental Health, it continues to be an innovative leader in DOHaD research. In 2012, following a pledge from Bob and Charlee Moore of Bob’s Red Mill to establish an institute focused on translating the science of DOHaD, he became the founding director of the Moore Institute for Nutrition & Wellness. He subsequently built the institute into a national model for translating this science to engage communities and inform programs, policies and curriculum to improve population health.
We have the opportunity to honor his legacy and strengthen OHSU’s reputation as an international DOHaD leader with an endowment. Our audacious goal is to raise $1 million to establish the Kent L. Thornburg Professorship.
We have successfully raised $50,000 to initiate the fund. Will you join us and pledge a commitment? We’re asking scientists, community partners and colleagues to build this endowment and continue growing Kent’s vision.
You can make a commitment to the Kent Thornburg DOHaD Endowment (fund 26841) directly through the OHSU Foundation, or contact Mandy Burns with questions.