David Jeffery

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.

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

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
    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 Co-Supervisor Microfluidic Device for Bespoke Levels of Food Product Personalisation Doctor of Philosophy under a Jointly-awarded Degree Agreement with Doctorate Full Time Ms Thitima Sombuttan
    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 - 2021 Principal Supervisor Sensory Characterisation of Australian Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Typicity Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Lira Souza Gonzaga
    2020 - 2023 Co-Supervisor Inter-vine Signalling via Plant Volatiles Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Joanah Midzi
    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 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 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 Developing process simulation models for red wine fermentation: Anthocyanin mass transfer and extraction Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mr Patrick Charles Setford
    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
    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
    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
  • Position: Associate Professor/Reader
  • Phone: 83136649
  • Email: david.jeffery@adelaide.edu.au
  • Fax: 83137116
  • Campus: Waite
  • Building: Wine Innovation Central, floor 4
  • Org Unit: Agricultural Science

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