[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Collins_Stephen.jpg” caption=”Stephen Collins”]Dr. Stephen Collins has been appointed associate dean, research for the Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University, effective today (May 1).

“Dr. Collins was unanimously selected by a broad-based selection committee,” said Dr. John Kelton, dean and vice-president of the Faculty of Health Sciences, in making the announcement. “There was particular enthusiasm about his international track record of remarkable research which is both broad and interdisciplinary.”

“His research has a vertical range from basic science to clinical trials, and a horizontal range that includes collaborations with other schools and professionals in health sciences.”

Collins received his medical training at University College and at Westminster Hospital Medical School, London and Leicester University Medical School, Leicester in the United Kingdom. He came to McMaster University between 1975 and 1978 for an internal medicine residency, clinical fellowship and research training. He spent 1978 to 1981 as a research associate in the Digestive Diseases Branch at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland before returning to the Department of Medicine at McMaster.

The professor is head of the Clinical Division of Gastroenterology and the first recipient of the Glaxo-Wellcome Chair in Gastroenterology, as well as the academic director for the Digestive Diseases Program for Hamilton Health Sciences. In 2002, Collins was given the prestigious title of University Professor, McMaster's highest academic award.

Collins is internationally recognized for his work and publications in gastroenterology, and he has held numerous leadership positions in his field. He currently holds a CIHR award and two awards from the Crohns and Colitis Foundation of Canada. His research addresses the pathogenesis of functional bowel disorders and specifically the role of infection, immune activation and inflammation in these chronic conditions.

In his role as associate dean, research, Collins will be responsible for guiding the research mission of the Faculty of Health Sciences.