Dr. Francis Collins is reportedly stepping down from his role as Director at the National Institutes of Health. The news was broken by Politico late Monday night:

National Institutes of Health Director Francis Collins plans to announce his resignation on Tuesday after nearly three decades at the agency, including 12 years at the helm, three sources tell POLITICO.

The 71-year-old physician-geneticist led the agency under three consecutive presidents — making him the first presidentially appointed NIH director to serve in more than one administration and the longest-serving NIH director.

Politico notes Dr. Collins' role near the forefront of America's Covid-19 pandemic response, including the research and development of Covid 'vaccines':