Collins, a geneticist, has served under both Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump. He’s been forced at times during the past year to come to the defense of Dr. Anthony Fauci, who has been attacked by Trump and other conservatives for his response to the pandemic. A program started by Collins in 2018, All of Us, is standing out as a potential bright spot in the federal government’s response to COVID-19. All of Us aims to get at unique genetics, environmental exposures, socioeconomics and other determinants of health impact patients. About 350,000 people have consented to be part of the project, with a sizeable percentage coming from minority populations.