WASHINGTON (AP) — Dr. Francis Collins, a distinguished geneticist and former longstanding director of the National Institutes of Health, made a surprise announcement on Saturday that he has officially retired, leaving an agency grappling with budget reductions and staff layoffs. Collins, a guitar-playing scientist and devout Christian recognized for his efforts to bridge the gap between religion and science, did not provide a specific reason for his sudden departure. In a statement, he expressed gratitude for his extensive tenure at an organization that he described as the “jewel in the crown” of the federal government for many years.
Joining the NIH in 1993 to lead the groundbreaking Human Genome Project, Collins highlighted the project’s successful completion of mapping the human DNA blueprint in 2003, two years ahead of schedule and $400 million under budget. Serving as the NIH’s director for 12 years under three different presidents – Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden – Collins stepped down from his position in October 2021 to return to his research laboratory, where he oversees studies on diabetes and a genetic aging disorder, while also advising President Biden on strategies to combat hepatitis C.
With a $48 billion budget, the NIH stands as the primary supporter of biomedical research and has historically enjoyed bipartisan backing. In his statement, Collins praised NIH employees as individuals of exceptional intellect, integrity, and dedication, emphasizing their deserving of respect and support from all Americans.
Despite declining an interview request via text message, Collins used his statement to defend the agency amid challenges posed by the Trump administration’s funding policies and the recent layoffs of over 1,000 employees. He underscored the vital contributions of NIH research to medical breakthroughs, such as advancements in immunotherapy leading to the survival of stage 4 cancer patients and the utilization of CRISPR gene editing to cure sickle cell disease.
During his early career, Collins identified the gene responsible for cystic fibrosis, a discovery that paved the way for effective treatments for the lung condition. As NIH director, he oversaw initiatives targeting a variety of severe illnesses, including cancer, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and COVID-19, which encompassed the development of life-saving coronavirus vaccines.
Beyond his NIH responsibilities, Collins is widely recognized for his written works exploring the interconnection between religion and science.
