By Ricki Lewis
Francis Collins, the soon-to-be former director of the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), boldly ventured where not too many scientists dare the press room.
At the annual meeting of the American Society of Human Genetics, Dr. Collins is as much a fixture of the reporters official turf as the coffee and bagels. Not just popping in for scheduled press conferences and media updates, he stops by at all hours, chatting with whomever is about.
At last years meeting, amidst the smoke of the fires in San Diego, he addressed a packed auditorium about the importance of communication and education in human genetics. He certainly practices what he preaches.
I first interviewed Dr. Collins at the dawn of the human genome project era, shortly after hed arrived at the NHGRI. In those pre-internet days, I called to set up a phone interview for an article I was writing for The Scientist. At that time, in addition to cranking out textbooks, I was writing for several science publications, at home, with three small F1s (geneticist lingo for kids). A bored-sounding voice at the institute took a message, and said someone would call to set up the interview. I never expected Dr. Collins to call back.
But he did.
Precisely when I was attempting to potty train my youngest.
I had to make a snap decision: hang up on Dr. C, or sacrifice my kids kidneys and do the interview. So I hoisted up the toddler and proceeded to ask technical questions about cystic fibrosis and chromosome walking and DNA sequencing, as a puddle of pee formed rapidly around me.
Ive never had the privilege to have a long discussion with Dr. Collins, but one encounter serves as a metaphor for his caring and leadership. It was at the International Congress of Genetics, held in Melbourne in July 2003. I was walking to the conference center when I stepped into traffic, unaware that the Australians drive on the wrong side of the road. In a split second, a tall man reached out and pulled me onto the curb. Looking up astonished, I just said “Thank you, Dr. Collins.” He smiled and nodded and walked on.
Francis Collins has accomplished many great things, and Ill leave that for others to chronicle. But I cant wait to hear what he will be doing next.
Ricki Lewis is on the Information and Education Committee at the American Society of Human Genetics and is a genetics and science communication expert for the organization. She is also the author of Human Genetics: Concepts and Applications (McGraw-Hill Higher Education) and the novel Stem Cell Symphony (Trafford Publishing).