As head of the National Institute of Health's National Human Genome Project, University alumnus Francis S. Collins is a very busy man.
But he will take time from his groundbreaking work toward unlocking life's genetic code to serve as the speaker to the Class of 2001 at Final Exercises on May 20.
The Human Genome Project is a publicly funded 13-year research effort to map and sequence the human genetic code, which has profound implications for drug and medical research. The project mapped a draft of human genome and predicts final completion ahead of schedule in 2003.
"In this instance, the timeliness of Dr. Collins' current work and its implications are special factors," said University president John T. Casteen III, who selected Collins as this year's speaker.
"Whether he talks about the politics, the science or the life lessons that others might learn from his work, this promises to be a thoughtful and engaging speech," Casteen said.
Early last year, Casteen appointed a 15-member selection committee comprising students, faculty and administrators, which provided him with a list of speakers for his final choice.
"It's been a long time since we've had a scientist. Usually, Final Exercise speakers are politicians or people in public life," said Alexander "Sandy" Gilliam, secretary to the Board of Visitors, who served as head of this year's selection committee.
"We try to get people who have some connection to the University," Gilliam said. "We consider Final Exercises to be a family event, and it's always nice to keep it in the family."
Collins graduated from the University in 1970 with a B.S. in chemistry. He later did graduate work in chemistry at Yale University and earned an M.D. at the University of North Carolina Medical School.
After his appointment in 1984 to the University of Michigan faculty, Collins began groundbreaking research in identifying gene abnormalities and the structure of genes that give rise to disease.
His work led to the 1989 identification of the human gene for cystic fibrosis, a debilitating fatal lung condition, in addition to other disease genes.
In 1993, Collins was appointed to succeed James Watson, who discovered DNA with Francis Crick in 1953, as director of the National Human Genome Research Institute, and he has overseen the growth and progress of the internationally recognized Human Genome Project since then.
"We can take pride in the distinguished work of many of our graduates in science," said Carl Trindle, chemistry professor and director of studies at Brown College. When he was an undergraduate, Collins was Trindle's first research student in the chemistry department.
In November, Collins will visit the University again and spend two days with participants in an undergraduate seminar sponsored by Brown College and the chemistry department.
He will deliver a public address cosponsored by the Medical School's Program of Humanities in Medicine, the Forum for Contemporary Thought, and the Institute for Ethics on Nov. 1.
"The Trustees [of the Class of 2001], and I are thrilled that such an incredible figure of the 21st century is going to come and speak at graduation," said Drew Davis, president of the fourth-year class and a member of the selection committee.
Collins could not be reached for comment.
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