Richard 'Rick' Rashid oversees Microsoft Research's worldwide operations. Previously, he was the director of Microsoft Research. He joined Microsoft Research in 1991, and was promoted to vice president in 1994. In 2000, he became senior vice president. He has authored a number of patents in areas such as data compression, networking, and operating systems, and was a major developer of Microsoft's interactive TV system. In 2003, he was inducted into the National Academy of Engineering.