Francis Collins

Francis Collins is a geneticist and medical doctor who is best known for his role in leading the Human Genome Project, which aimed to identify and map all of the genes in the human genome. He has made significant contributions to our understanding of the genetic basis of various diseases, including cystic fibrosis and Huntington’s disease.

Collins is also a devout Christian and has written extensively on the intersection of science and religion, arguing that they are not inherently in conflict. In 2009, he was appointed by President Barack Obama to serve as the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a position he held until 2021. During his tenure, Collins oversaw significant advances in medical research, including the development of vaccines for Ebola and COVID-19. Overall, Collins is widely regarded as one of the most influential scientists of his generation and a leading proponent of the idea that science and faith can coexist.