Stephen Collins, Distinguished University Professor, is a leading international clinical and academic figure in Gastroenterology, pioneer and expert on the microbiome’s impact on the host immune and nervous systems, maintains an active research program and is recipient of several awards. He is a frequent plenary session speaker with over 200 peer review publications and an enviable h factor: 53. He built a McMaster’s Gastroenterology Program into one of 5 top centres world-wide, and attracted philanthropic endowment to establish the Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute. As Health Sciences Associate Dean for Research he has demonstrated vision and creative leadership.