WASHINGTON — Dr. Francis Collins, a distinguished geneticist and former long-serving director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), announced his retirement on Saturday, amid significant budget cuts and layoffs impacting the agency.
Collins, known for his efforts to bridge the gap between science and faith, did not provide specific reasons for his sudden exit. He expressed his gratitude for a nearly 40-year career at an institute celebrated as a “crown jewel” of the federal government.
With a budget of $48 billion, the NIH stands as the world’s largest funder of biomedical research, historically enjoying robust bipartisan support.
In his statement, Collins praised NIH employees for their exceptional intellect, integrity, and dedication, highlighting their indispensable role in advancing medical science.
Collins, who has declined interview requests, formally retired on Friday, just as the NIH faces upheaval due to new funding policies and the recent dismissal of more than 1,000 staff members.
He emphasized the ongoing significance of NIH research, citing breakthroughs like immunotherapy for stage 4 cancer and CRISPR gene editing for sickle cell disease as direct results of decades of investment in scientific inquiry.
At 74 years old, Collins served as NIH director for 12 years under three different administrations — Obama, Trump, and Biden.
Following his resignation from the directorship in October 2021, he returned to research, directing studies on diabetes and genetic aging disorders while also advising on public health matters like hepatitis C.
Notably, Collins uncovered the cystic fibrosis gene early in his career, paving the way for more effective treatments, facilitated by NIH funding during his research at the University of Michigan.
He joined the NIH in 1993 to lead the Human Genome Project, which successfully mapped the human genome ahead of schedule and significantly under budget.
During his tenure, Collins directed research efforts to combat critical health issues such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and COVID-19, contributing to the development of lifesaving vaccines.
In addition to his NIH role, Collins is widely recognized for his writings on the intersection of science and religion.
