Tucker is now Lab Chief, heading research and development at the Rockwell Group.

From 1947 to 1956 he also headed research into hydrodynamics at the Max Planck Institute.

Before coming to AT&T, he headed research and development at Apple Computer.

He went on to head research in immunochemistry and the organic chemistry of proteins.

At Corning Schoemaker rapidly progressed from being a specialist in immunoassay development for diagnostics to heading research and development.

Later he was named to head research and engineering at the company.

Mrs. Sperling now heads research and development and is in charge of training stylists.

Mr. Kenney, 49, will head corporate strategy and research, a new support division that carries far less influence than his former job.

"Each new game tends to push the state of the art," said Richard F. Rashid, who heads research at Microsoft.

James L. Freeman, who heads sales and research at the First Boston Corporation, concurred.