Dan Widmaier

Dan Widmaier is a California-based researcher and entrepreneur. He earned his bachelor's degree in Biochemistry from the University of Washington and later obtained his PhD in Chemistry and Chemical Biology from the University of California, San Francisco where he was a Genentech-Sandler Graduate Fellow. His dissertation for his PhD was related to engineering the salmonella type III secretion system. His studies of reprogramming the uses of living organisms led to the foundation of the idea for the company which he founded, Bolt Threads. The company is a materials solutions company and produces materials, such as silk and leather, with a more sustainable process without the harming of animals.

In addition to being one of the founding members of Bold Threads, Widmaier also acts as CEO of the company. He contributes to the company in various ways, such as technology development to allow for its product to be manufactured at a commercial scale, management of employees, and business development through the building of partnerships.