Francis Collins, director of the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) at NIH just announced that he will be stepping down from his position on August 1 to “explore writing projects and other professional opportunities.” (like running the NIH, maybe?)

Francis ran NHGRI for 15 years with the completion of the human genome project and hapmap projects being the jewels in his crown as director. But look closer at what the institute is doing and you’ll be amazed.

Here is the brief list of projects that have launched since his arrival:

The Encyclopedia of DNA Elements, the Knockout Mouse Project, the Mammalian Gene Collection, the Cancer Genome Atlas, the Molecular Libraries Initiative, the Human Microbiome Project, the Genetic Association Information Network, and the Genes, Environment and Health Initiative…oh yeah, his lab does research too.

Full disclosure: I worked as a policy fellow at NHGRI when I first came to Washington and I owe a lot of my success to the support I got from Francis and his amazing team at the institute. Just last week, I had a wonderful opportunity to raise a glass in celebration with Francis and many others who were key to passing the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) into law after 13 years of trying in Congress. Anyone who understands how it got passed will tell you that Francis played an intimate role (and then tell you no more). So, I am a positively biased towards this man on a bad day.

So, why is he stepping down?
I have no personal information on this, but Francis’ own words speak volumes.

“… I may need greater latitude than my current position allows to pursue other potential positions of service without encountering any possible conflicts of interest, whether real or perceived.”

In other words, this is NOT retirement and you’ll be seeing him real soon.

Alan Guttmacher, the current Deputy Director will be named Acting Director when Francis step down. Alan is a fantastic and talented guy and would make an excellent director. Let’s hope the NIH has the smarts to keep him on as more than acting director.