Microsoft Research

Richard Rashid

Computer scientist recruited to lead Microsoft Research; he had been a professor and computer-science researcher before joining Microsoft and became the lab's founding director.

Bill Gates

Microsoft co-founder and technology leader who authorized the creation of a long-term corporate research laboratory.

Nathan Myhrvold

Joined Microsoft in 1986 after postdoctoral research in cosmology with Stephen Hawking at Cambridge; led advanced technology and business development, became Microsoft's first chief technology officer, and wrote the 1991 Microsoft Research Plan that led to the lab's creation.

Igor Tsyganskiy

Executive Vice President, Microsoft Research; Global Chief Information Security Officer

Became Microsoft Research's new leader in 2026 while continuing as Microsoft's global CISO, a role held since 2023; previously served as president of Bridgewater Associates and held senior technology and security leadership roles.

Doug Burger

Technical Fellow and Corporate Vice President; Managing Director, Microsoft Research worldwide core research labs

Former University of Texas at Austin computer-science faculty member; joined Microsoft in 2008, led architecture and systems research including Brainwave and Catapult, co-founded Microsoft's custom hardware division in Azure, and returned to Microsoft Research in 2023.