National Institutes of Health: Francis Collins stepping down as director
Francis Collins has announced his intention to step down as director of the National Institutes of Health before the end of 2021. He is the longest-serving presidentially appointed director of the agency, holding the position for more than 12 years.
“It has been an incredible privilege to lead this great agency for more than a decade,” Collins remarked. “I am proud of all we’ve accomplished; I fundamentally believe, however, that no single person should serve in the position too long, and that it’s time to bring in a new scientist to lead the NIH into the future.”
Collins reports he plans to return to leading his research laboratory at the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), which is pursuing genomics, epigenomics and single-cell biology to understand the causes and means of prevention for type 2 diabetes. His lab also will work on development of new genetic therapies for the most dramatic form of premature aging, Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome.