Desney Tan, who rose from researcher to corporate vice president and managing director of Microsoft Research, announced Monday that he’s leaving the company after 21 years.
Tan became known in part for research in “whole body computing,” physiological sensing, brain-computer interfaces and other novel forms of human-computer interaction. His work spanned areas including Windows multi-monitor functionality, handwriting recognition, motion tracking for Xbox Kinect, and the technology behind the Microsoft Band fitness tracker.
In more recent years, he shifted his focus to healthcare, for a time leading Microsoft Health Futures, the company’s health and life sciences “moonshot factory.” He oversaw major partnerships including Microsoft’s collaboration with Adaptive Biotechnologies.
“New year, new adventures,” Tan wrote on LinkedIn, adding that he’s “signing off with a heart full of gratitude and a deep sense of pride.” He thanked colleagues at Microsoft Research for “the warm home, the unwavering trust, and the inspired pursuit of impactful innovation.”
In a message to GeekWire, Tan said he’s intentionally keeping his options open, without anything concrete lined up yet, so he can experiment with a few different things.
Beyond Microsoft, he serves on the boards of ResMed and the Washington Research Foundation, and advises startups including surgical navigation company Proprio and cognitive health startup NewDays. He’s also senior advisor and chief technologist at Seattle-based incubator IntuitiveX, and holds an affiliate faculty position at the University of Washington.
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