Francis Collins, the longest-serving head of NIH, is stepping down

Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, the largest funder of basic and clinical biomedical research in the world, says he will step down by the end of the year.

Collins, who has served three U.S. presidents as head of the institute for more than 12 years, made the announcement on Tuesday. An interim director — who will be nominated by President Biden and must be confirmed by the Senate — has not been named.

"It has been an incredible privilege to lead this great agency for more...