An Evening with Dr. Francis Collins

An Evening with Dr. Francis Collins

Renowned physician-scientist Dr. Francis Collins will deliver the Anita and Antonio Gotto Lecture in our Sanctuary on Thursday, November 12, at 6 pm.

Dr. Francis Collins is a physician and geneticist known for his landmark discoveries of disease genes, for leading the Human Genome Project, for his twelve years as Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and for championing the harmony of science and faith.

Collins is one of the best-known scientists of the current era. Early in his research career, he co-led teams that discovered the genetic cause of cystic fibrosis, neurofibromatosis, and Huntington disease. With him at the helm from 1993 - 2003, the International Human Genome Project produced a finished sequence of human DNA. He then used this new data to help create powerful tools and strategies to advance biological knowledge about humans and improve their health. Along with his research, Collins has also stressed the importance of considering the ethical and legal issues surrounding genetics.

Collins served as NIH Director under three presidents (Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joseph Biden), stepping down in December 2021 after guiding the nation’s biomedical research in everything from basic science to clinical trials, including an historic series of research partnerships addressing diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, neuroscience, genetic diseases, precision medicine, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Subsequently, after fifteen months as Acting Science Advisor and Special Projects Advisor to the President, Collins returned to his research laboratory at NIH, investigating genetic factors in diabetes and premature aging. He retired from NIH in March of 2025 and continues to be a respected voice advocating for strong support of innovation in biomedical research.

Formerly an atheist, Collins became a Christian in his twenties after realizing that atheism did not provide answers to profound questions about the meaning of life and was also inconsistent with observations about the nature of the universe and humankind. He wrote about finding harmony between the scientific and spiritual worldviews in The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief, which spent twenty weeks on The New York Times bestseller list. Collins coined the term “biologos” to define the conclusions he reached about how life, or bios, came about through God’s word, or logos. He founded the BioLogos Foundation in November 2007 and served as its President until required to resign by his appointment as NIH Director. BioLogos (www.biologos.org) continues to flourish as a non-profit meeting-place for productive and civil discussions about science and faith.

Collins received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Virginia, a doctorate in physical chemistry from Yale University, and a medical degree from The University of North Carolina. He is an elected member of both the National Academy of Medicine and the National Academy of Sciences, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in November 2007, and received the National Medal of Science in 2009. In 2020, he was elected as a Foreign Member of the Royal Society (UK) and was also named the 50th winner of the Templeton Prize, which celebrates scientific and spiritual curiosity.

In addition to his book on science and faith, Collins has authored a book on personalized medicine, The Language of Life, published by HarperCollins in January 2010. He also assembled an anthology of selected readings on faith and reason, entitled Belief, that was published by HarperOne in March 2010. His most recent book is , published in 2024.

This event will also be livestreamed. If wishing to attend from afar, please select a livestreaming ticket when registering.