James Francis Collins

James F Collins

James Francis Collins (born April 14, 1950) is an American physician-geneticist noted for his discoveries of disease genes and his leadership of the Human Genome Project. He served as the director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from 2009 to 2021.

Early Life and Education

James Francis Collins was born in Staunton, Virginia. He attended the University of Virginia, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry in 1970. He then went on to Yale University, where he received a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry in 1974. Collins later attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he earned an M.D. in 1977.

Career

Collins began his career as a faculty member at the University of Michigan, where he was a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator. He is best known for his landmark discoveries of disease genes, including those responsible for cystic fibrosis, neurofibromatosis, Huntington's disease, and adult-onset diabetes.

Human Genome Project

In 1993, Collins was appointed director of the National Center for Human Genome Research, which later became the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI). Under his leadership, the Human Genome Project was completed in 2003, providing a complete map of the human genome.

National Institutes of Health

In 2009, Collins was appointed the 16th director of the National Institutes of Health by President Barack Obama. During his tenure, he oversaw numerous significant initiatives, including the BRAIN Initiative, the All of Us Research Program, and efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Awards and Honors

Collins has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to science and medicine, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2007 and the National Medal of Science in 2009. He is also a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the Institute of Medicine.

Personal Life

Collins is an accomplished musician and has written several books on science and faith, including The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief.

Related Pages

• Human Genome Project
• National Institutes of Health
• Cystic fibrosis
• Neurofibromatosis
• Huntington's disease
• BRAIN Initiative
• COVID-19 pandemic