Obama Nominates Francis Collins NIH Director. (July 9, 2009)

US President Barack Obama has named the former director of the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) Francis Collins (59) to head the US$30.6 billion National Institutes of Health.

As ScienceInsider puts it: "[The] 15-year veteran of NIH, a skilled administrator and communicator has many supporters in the scientific community. But he also has critics because of his support for "big biology" and his openness about his religious views. However, a ranking member of NHGRI's administration when asked by TFW if  Collin's religious views might play any role in his "stewardship" of NIH replied: "He never showed any such inclination as director of NHGRI."

Former NIH Director Harold Varmus considers: "He'll be a remarkably good director." While the immediate past director, Elias Zerhouni, said simply: "Francis is one of the most accomplished scientists and scientific leaders of his generation. ...Having worked with him for many years I am sure that he will rise to the unique challenges of this job."

In his media release President Obama wrote: "The National Institutes of Health stands as a model when it comes to science and research. My administration is committed to promoting scientific integrity and pioneering scientific research and I am confident that Dr. Francis Collins will lead the NIH to achieve these goals. Dr. Collins is one of the top scientists in the world, and his groundbreaking work has changed the very ways we consider our health and examine disease. I look forward to working with him in the months and years ahead."

Dr Collins' nomination will now go to the US Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions committee and assuming recommendation, he will then be voted on by the full US Senate. However, it is virtually certain he will be interrogated about his religious views as well as how he intends to influence the apportionment of NIH research grants.