Francis Collins

Francis Sellers Collins is an American physician-geneticist known for his contributions to the field of genomics. Born on April 14, 1950, Collins is renowned for his discovery of genes associated with various diseases and his leadership in the Human Genome Project. From 2009 to 2021, he served as the director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland. Prior to his role at NIH, Collins directed the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) and conducted gene hunting research at the University of Michigan. He has been recognized for his achievements with prestigious honors, including election to the Institute of Medicine and the National Academy of Sciences, as well as receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the National Medal of Science. Collins has also authored books exploring the intersection of science, medicine, and religion, including the New York Times bestseller, The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence.