Associate Professor David Jeffery
Associate Professor/Reader
School of Agriculture, Food and Wine
Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology
Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.
David completed a PhD on the development of methodology for the stereoselective synthesis of polypropionate marine natural products. He has experience with the synthesis of aromatic heterocycles and a strong analytical chemistry background. He uses these experiences for the isolation, identification, synthesis and analysis of interesting and complex molecules from nature, especially in the pursuit of improved knowledge about grape and wine chemistry. In particular, David conducts research in the area of aroma, flavour, and polyphenol chemistry, undertaking and overseeing analytical method development, compound synthesis, and isolation/ characterisation of grape and wine components. The effect of vineyard and winemaking conditions on grape and wine composition is evaluated through a range of experiments and application of techniques such as HPLC-MS/MS, GC-MS, and spectrofluorometry. David is co-author of Understanding Wine Chemistry, a modern wine chemistry textbook used in wine science programs across the globe.
- My Research
- Career
- Publications
- Grants and Funding
- Teaching
- Supervision
- Professional Activities
- Contact
David is involved in the isolation, identification, synthesis and analysis of interesting and complex molecules from nature. The application of synthetic organic chemistry, natural product isolation, structure elucidation and analytical techniques such as GC-MS and HPLC-MS are key components of his research. This extends to grape and wine components and development of methods for the analysis of aroma, flavour and phenolic compounds which are important to grape and wine quality.
David is particularly keen to develop fundamental chemical knowledge and techniques which can be directed toward understanding intricate natural phenomena. This includes the structure and function of wine tannins and the mechanisms underlying tannin rearrangements and pigmented polymer formation which impact on colour and mouthfeel properties of wine. Another area of strong interest involves improving knowledge of the formation and reactivity of aroma and flavour compounds, identifying potential sources and examining the impacts of processing.
Contact David to discuss any aspects of these research interests and to find out more about Honours or PhD projects relating to these diverse topics. Projects will appeal to students who want to continue their education in typical chemical fields such as synthesis and analysis, with potential for an applied context to help improve the scientific understanding behind a multi-billion dollar Australian industry. There are various scholarship opportunities for eligible students including supplementary scholarships periodically offered by the Wine Australia. Check the links for eligibility criteria and closing date.
-
Appointments
Date Position Institution name 2017 - ongoing Associate Professor in Wine Science The University of Adelaide 2014 - 2016 Senior Lecturer in Wine Science University of Adelaide 2010 - 2014 Lecturer in Wine Science University of Adelaide 2009 - 2010 Senior Research Scientist - Team Leader The Australian Wine Research Institute 2008 - 2009 Research Scientist The Australian Wine Research Institute 2005 - 2008 Postdoctoral Research Fellow The Australian Wine Research Institute -
Awards and Achievements
Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount 2023 Award Stephen Cole the Elder Award for Excellence in HDR Supervisory Practice The University of Adelaide Australia - 2023 Award JAFC Excellence in Review Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry United States - 2022 Award Flinders University Distinguished Alumni Award Flinders University Australia - 2021 Award JAFC Excellence in Review Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry United States - 2020 Award ACGR Award for Excellence in Graduate Research Supervision Australian Council of Graduate Research Australia - 2018 Achievement 2018 OIV Special Mention International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) France - 2015 Award Peter W. Alexander Medal The Royal Australian Chemical Institute Australia - -
Education
Date Institution name Country Title 2013 - 2014 The University of Adelaide Australia Graduate Diploma in Online Learning (Higher Education) 2002 - 2005 Flinders University Australia PhD 2001 - 2001 Flinders University Australia BSc(Hons) 1998 - 2000 Flinders University Australia BTech(Forens&AnalytChem) -
Research Interests
-
Journals
-
Books
Year Citation 2024 Waterhouse, A. L., Sacks, G. L., & Jeffery, D. W. (2024). Understanding Wine Chemistry (2nd ed.). Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons.
DOI2024 Waterhouse, A. L., Sacks, G. L., & Jeffery, D. W. (2024). Understanding Wine Chemistry, Second Edition. 2016 Waterhouse, A. L., Sacks, G. L., & Jeffery, D. W. (2016). Understanding Wine Chemistry (1 ed.). UK: John Wiley & Sons.
DOI Scopus306 -
Book Chapters
-
Conference Papers
-
Conference Items
Year Citation 2017 Sacks, G., Kreitman, G., Elias, R., & Jeffery, D. (2017). Rethinking re-stinking: A critical evaluation of hypotheses for formation of sulfurous off aromas during wine storage. Poster session presented at the meeting of ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY. Washington, DC: AMER CHEMICAL SOC. 2017 Wang, J., Capone, D., Gambetta, J., Wilkinson, K., & Jeffery, D. (2017). Characterising the chemical and sensory properties of Australian rose wines. Poster session presented at the meeting of ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY. Washington, DC: AMER CHEMICAL SOC. 2017 Ristic, R., Schelezki, O., Hranilovic, A., Li, S., Pham, D. -T., Wollan, D., . . . Wilkinson, K. (2017). Integrated approach to managing alcohol levels in wine while maintaining quality and style. Poster session presented at the meeting of ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY. Washington, DC: AMER CHEMICAL SOC. 2017 Capone, D., Chen, L., Francis, L., & Jeffery, D. (2017). Quantitation of potent polyfunctional thiols and their enantiomers in wine using HPLC-MS/MS after derivatization. Poster session presented at the meeting of ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY. Washington, DC: AMER CHEMICAL SOC. 2016 Pham, D., Jeffery, D., Wollan, D., Wilkinson, K., & Stockdale, V. (2016). Partial dealcoholisation of red wine by reverse osmosis-evaporative perstraction: impact on wine composition. Poster session presented at the meeting of Macrowine 2016 - Macromolecules and Secondary Metabolites of Grapevine and Wine. Changins-Nyon, Switzerland. 2012 Capone, D. L., Sefton, M. A., Francis, I. L., & Jeffery, D. W. (2012). Origin of eucalyptol in wine. Poster session presented at the meeting of ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY. San Diego, CA: AMER CHEMICAL SOC. 2012 Capone, D. L., Black, C. A., & Jeffery, D. W. (2012). Harvest, storage, and processing effects on 3-mercaptohexan-1-ol precursor concentrations in Sauvignon Blanc grape juice. Poster session presented at the meeting of ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY. Philadelphia, PA: AMER CHEMICAL SOC. 2010 Herderich, M. J., Siebert, T., Parker, M., Capone, D., & Jeffery, D. (2010). Spice up your life: Analysis of key aroma compounds in Shiraz. Poster session presented at the meeting of ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY. AMER CHEMICAL SOC.
WoS12010 Capone, D. L., Sefton, M. A., & Jeffery, D. W. (2010). Analytical investigations to relate important wine odorant 3-mercaptohexan-1-ol to its precursors. Poster session presented at the meeting of ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY. AMER CHEMICAL SOC.
David has been named as a Chief Investigator for the following Category 1 projects:
- Australian Research Council (ARC) funded Industrial Transformation Training Centre for Innovative Wine Production (ARC-TC-IWP) led by Centre Director Prof Vladimir Jiranek in conjunction with other UofA researchers, Wine Innovation Cluster (WIC) partners and industry stakeholders, 2013-2017 and 2018-2023
- Wine Australia (WA) funded project investigating the causes and consequences of grape berry cell death led by Em Prof Steve Tyerman in conjunction with Dr Vinay Pagay, A/Prof Cas Collins, A/Prof Sue Bastian and Dr Richard Muhlack (UofA), 2018-2022
- WA funded project investigating plant sensor-based precision irrigation for improved water use efficiency led by Dr Vinay Pagay in conjunction with Em Prof Steve Tyerman, Prof Kerry Wilkinson and Dr Richard Muhlack (UofA), 2018-2022
- WA funded project investigating sensor-based precision irrigation for improved vineyard water use efficiency, grape and wine quality, and profitability led by Dr Vinay Pagay (UofA) in conjunction with other UofA researchers, 2018-2020
- WA funded project investigating the use of glutathione during winemaking led by Dr Simon Schmidt from the Australian Wine Research Institute in conjunction with Dr Gabriel Perrone at Western Sydney University, 2016-2020
- WA funded project investigating in-canopy misting to mitigate the effects of heatwaves on grapevines led by Dr Vinay Pagay (UofA) in conjunction with other UofA and WIC researchers, 2016-2018
- WA funded project investigating the influence of grape quality on wine composition led by Dr Paul Boss (CSIRO) in conjunction with A/Prof Sue Bastian (UofA), 2013-2017
- WA funded project investigating wine composition effects on Australian wine consumer mood and liking led by A/Prof Sue Bastian (UofA) in conjunction with other UofA researchers, 2013-2017
David has been named as a Chief Investigator for the following Category 2 project:
- Department of Industry, Science, Energy Innovation Connections grant for determining key quality parameters for gin based on chemical and sensory testing, 2021-2022
- PIRSA Wine Industry Development Scheme project for evaluating innovative technologies to ameliorate smoke taint in juice and wine led by Prof Kerry Wilkinson in conjunction with Dr Richard Muhlack and Prof Vladimir Jiranek (UofA), 2020
- PIRSA Advanced Food Manufacturing grant for developing a vodka from potato waste led by Dr Richard Muhlack in conjunction with Prof Kerry Wilkinson (UofA), 2017-2018
David has been named as an Associate Investigator for the following Category 1 project:
- National Health and Medical Research Council funded Centre of Research Excellence involving targeted nutrition to improve maternal and child health outcomes led by Prof Maria Makrides (SAHMRI/UofA) in conjunction with other UofA and SAHMRI researchers, 2017-2022
Stabilisation and Clarification (Course Coordinator) - lecture topics include methods of clarification, tartrate stability and testing, fining agents, and odour, colour and oxidative stability
Distillation, Fortified and Sparkling Winemaking (Course Coordinator) - lecture topics include vapour-liquid equlibria, batch and continuous distillation, industrial still design, and cognac and armagnac production
Advances In Wine Science - lecture topics include red wine polyphenol chemistry and application of modern analytical methods
Brewing Technology and Beer Production - lecture on adjuncts, flavourings and hops
Sensory Studies - lectures on wine aroma and flavour
Introductory Winemaking - lecture on stabilisation and clarification
Fundamentals of Spirit Production - A Boutique Perspective - 5 day short course open to the public
Online learning free to the public - EdX MOOC World of Wine: From Grape to Glass
Winners of:
~ 2015 South Australian Interactive Media Excellence Award (Government, Education & Non-profit) ~
~ 2015 Best Wine Educator, Wine Communicators of Australia ~
-
Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name 2024 Principal Supervisor Predicting and Managing Mouthfeel in Red Wines through AI-guided Process Metrics Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Yingxin Miao 2024 Principal Supervisor Varietal thiol precursor formation in grape and fate of thiols during alcoholic fermentation and wine storage Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Ruomeng Li 2024 Co-Supervisor Investigating the effect of shading on grapevine performance and wine quality in a vitivoltaic system Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Torian Jiang 2023 Co-Supervisor Assessment of rapid detection methods for identifying smoke taint in grape juice. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ysadora Ashton Mirabelli-Montan 2023 Principal Supervisor Evolution of spectrofluorometric fingerprint of red wine under different ageing conditions Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Shuyue Fan 2023 Co-Supervisor Use of Instrumentation to Characterise Plant Based Meat Analogs (PBMA) and Develop Flavour Improvements to Drive Purchase Intent Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Nick Kuhlman 2023 Co-Supervisor Remediation of taint arising from vineyard exposure to bushfire smoke Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Song Yan 2022 Principal Supervisor The role of polysulfides in the appearance of reduced wine aromas Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Yu Hou 2021 Co-Supervisor Mathematical modelling of red wine colour and polyphenols extraction and evolution to enhance winemaking efficiency Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Ms Rachael Anne Tindal 2020 Co-Supervisor From Brandewijn (Burnt Wine) to Bush Fires: New Directions in Australian Brandy Production Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Hugh Holds 2018 Co-Supervisor Efficient Red Winemaking by Monitoring Extraction and Evolution of Colour and Polyphenols Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Ms Judith Unterkofler -
Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name 2021 - 2024 Co-Supervisor Navigating Water Stress in Vineyards: Insights From Water Management Strategies and Hydraulic and Chemical Signalling Under Soil Moisture Deficit Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Rochelle Schlank 2020 - 2023 Co-Supervisor Inter-vine Signalling via Plant Volatiles Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Joanah Midzi 2020 - 2021 Principal Supervisor Sensory Characterisation of Australian Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Typicity Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Lira Souza Gonzaga 2019 - 2023 Principal Supervisor Rootstock Effects on Grape Rachis Composition and the Implications for Red Wine Quality Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Ross David Sanders 2018 - 2022 Principal Supervisor Authentication of Australian Red Wines Using Fluorescence Spectroscopy and Machine Learning Classification Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mrs Ruchira Ranaweera 2018 - 2022 Principal Supervisor Varietal Thiols and Precursors: Biogenesis, Reactivity, and Impact of Winemaking Practices Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Xingchen Wang 2018 - 2024 Principal Supervisor Investigating Grape Heterogeneity Effects on Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Chemical and Sensory Characteristics using Chemometrics and Machine Learning Models Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Claire Elizabeth Jane Armstrong 2016 - 2021 Co-Supervisor Development of Flash Détente Applications for Impacting Red Wine Style and for Production of Colour Stable Red Wines and Concentrate Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Richard Gondai Ntuli 2015 - 2019 Co-Supervisor The gastronomic experience of fine Australian wines of provenance and food pairings Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Marcell Kustos 2015 - 2019 Principal Supervisor Polyfunctional Thiols in Wine: Chirality, Precursor Stereochemistry, Winemaking Impacts, and Fate Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Liang Chen 2015 - 2019 Co-Supervisor Testing Consumer Perception for a New Australian Wine Product for the Australasian Market: Sensory Properties, Chemical Composition and Consumer Acceptance of Shiraz Wine Containing Ganoderma lucidum Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mrs Anh Ngoc Hoang Nguyen 2015 - 2019 Principal Supervisor Developing process simulation models for red wine fermentation: Anthocyanin mass transfer and extraction Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mr Patrick Charles Setford 2014 - 2018 Principal Supervisor INVESTIGATION OF AN EARLY HARVEST REGIME AND PRE-FERMENTATIVE BLENDING TREATMENTS TO PRODUCE LOWER ALCOHOL WINES: IMPACT ON GRAPE AND WINE COMPOSITION AND QUALITY Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Olaf Jan Schelezki 2014 - 2018 Principal Supervisor Preparation and application of new sorptive polymers applied to wine with a focus on removal of 3-isobutyl-2-methoxypyrazine Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Chen Liang 2014 - 2020 Co-Supervisor Getting Alcohol Content Right: The Compositional and Sensory Basis for the Alcohol Sweetspot Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Duc-Truc Pham 2013 - 2014 Co-Supervisor The Impact of Water Deficit and High Temperature on Berry Biophysical Traits and Berry and Wine Chemical and Sensory Traits Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Marcos Bonada 2013 - 2017 Principal Supervisor Development of Quality Assessment Tools for Chardonnay in Relation to Grape and Wine Composition Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Joanna Gambetta 2012 - 2016 Principal Supervisor Comprehensive Study of Australian Rose Wines: Characterisation of Chemical and Sensory Profiles Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Jiaming Wang 2009 - 2012 External Supervisor Development and Application of Novel Analytical Methods to the Identification, Formation and Fate of Two Important Wine Aroma Compounds Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Dimitra Liacopoulos Capone
-
Committee Memberships
Date Role Committee Institution Country 2020 - ongoing Member RACI SA Branch The Royal Australian Chemical Institute Australia 2018 - ongoing Secretary RACI SA Branch The Royal Australian Chemical Institute Australia 2014 - 2017 Member RACI SA Branch The Royal Australian Chemical Institute Australia -
Memberships
Date Role Membership Country 2012 - ongoing Member American Chemical Society United States 2012 - ongoing Member International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry Australia 2000 - ongoing Member The Royal Australian Chemical Institute (Fellow, FRACI) Australia -
Editorial Boards
Date Role Editorial Board Name Institution Country 2021 - ongoing Associate Editor OENO One IVES France 2020 - ongoing Board Member ACS Food Science & Technology American Chemical Society United States 2016 - 2021 Associate Editor Molecules MDPI Switzerland
Connect With Me
External Profiles