Francis S. Collins is an American physician-geneticist noted for his discoveries of disease genes and his leadership of the Human Genome Project (HGP), an international project that successfully mapped and sequenced the entire human genome. He served as the director of the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) during the course of the project. Born on April 14, 1950, Collins has also made significant contributions to the understanding of genetic diseases, including cystic fibrosis. In addition to his scientific endeavors, Collins is known for his public discussions of science and faith, as he is both an outspoken Christian and an advocate for the integration of science and spirituality. In 2009, Collins was appointed as the Director of the NIH by President Barack Obama, a role he continued under subsequent administrations until his retirement in 2021. He has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the National Medal of Science. Collins is also the author of several books on genetics, medicine, and religion, including "The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief."