Microsoft Research, located just half an hour from the university across Lake Washington, is the research organization of Microsoft Corporation. The Theory Group is a new fundamental research group at MSR, whose members include a number of internationally-known mathematicians, including Yuval Peres and Alexander Holroyd, along with a host of visiting researchers. The Theory Group focuses on a statistical physics approach to discrete probability theory, combinatorics, and theoretical computer science. The Mathematics Department is developing close ties with the group, most of whose permanent members are affiliate professors in the UW Mathematics Department, which means they are available to advise graduate students and offer occasional graduate courses.