Dr. DeBolt is eager to improve our knowledge of the key chemical components that determine quality in bourbon. As a graduate student specializing in wine, he divided his time between the University of Adelaide and the University of California, Davis. With both institutions based in prominent wine-growing regions, he was able to conduct groundbreaking research, discovering the tartaric acid pathway in wine grapes. Dr. DeBolt is the director of the James B Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits and the Distillation, Wine and Brewing Undergraduate Certificate Program at the University of Kentucky and is collaborating on a variety of projects across campus and within the spirits industry focusing on bourbon whiskey production, flavor and quality.
Scholars@UK
Using microbial community interactions within plant microbiomes to advance an evergreen agricultural revolution
Lucero, M. E., DeBolt, S., Unc, A., Ruiz-Font, A., Reyes, L. V., McCulley, R. L., Alderman, S. C., Dinkins, R. D., Barrow, J. R. & Samac, D. A., Aug 7 2023, Sustainable agroecosystems in climate change mitigation. p. 183-202 20 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
A haplotype-resolved reference genome of Quercus alba sheds light on the evolutionary history of oaks
Larson, D. A., Staton, M. E., Kapoor, B., Islam-Faridi, N., Zhebentyayeva, T., Fan, S., Stork, J., Thomas, A., Ahmed, A. S., Stanton, E. C., Houston, A., Schlarbaum, S. E., Hahn, M. W., Carlson, J. E., Abbott, A. G., DeBolt, S. & Nelson, C. D., Apr 2025, In: New Phytologist. 246, 1, p. 331-348 18 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Lodging Variability in Sorghum Stalks Is Dependent on the Biomechanical and Chemical Composition of the Stalk Rinds
Mengistie, E., Bokros, N., DeBolt, S. & McDonald, A. G., Mar 2024, In: Crops. 4, 1, p. 3-26 24 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
A custom pipeline for building computational models of plant tissue
Clarke, S. S. B., Benzecry, A., Bokros, N., DeBolt, S., Robertson, D. J. & Stubbs, C. J., Nov 2024, In: European Journal of Agronomy. 161, 127356.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Detailed three-dimensional analyses of tyloses in oak used for bourbon and wine barrels through X-ray computed tomography
Kim, D., Gollihue, J., Poovathingal, S. J. & DeBolt, S., Dec 2024, In: Scientific Reports. 14, 1, 17044.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Bacterial Spermosphere Inoculants Alter N. benthamiana-Plant Physiology and Host Bacterial Microbiome
Sanchez Barrios, A., Lundberg, D., Lorenzo, L. D., Amos, B. K., Nair, M., Hunt, A. & DeBolt, S., Jun 2024, In: Plants. 13, 12, 1677.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Sorghum bicolor L. Stalk Stiffness Is Marginally Affected by Time of Day under Field Conditions
Bokros, N., Woomer, J., Schroeder, Z., Kunduru, B., Brar, M. S., Seegmiller, W., Stork, J., McMahan, C., Robertson, D. J., Sekhon, R. S. & DeBolt, S., Jun 2024, In: Agriculture (Switzerland). 14, 6, 935.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Will “Tall Oaks from Little Acorns Grow”? White Oak (Quercus alba) Biology in the Anthropocene
Abbott, A. G., Staton, M. E., Lhotka, J. M., DeWald, L. E., Zhebentyayeva, T., Kapoor, B., Thomas, A. M., Larson, D. A., Hadziabdic, D., DeBolt, S., Nelson, C. D. & Carlson, J. E., Feb 2024, In: Forests. 15, 2, 269.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Discovery and Characterization of Fluopipamine, a Putative Cellulose Synthase 1 Antagonist within Arabidopsis
Amos, B. K., Pook, V., Prates, E., Stork, J., Shah, M., Jacobson, D. A. & DeBolt, S., Feb 14 2024, In: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 72, 6, p. 3171-3179 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Biomechanical phenotyping pipeline for stalk lodging resistance in maize
Tabaracci, K., Bokros, N. T., Oduntan, Y., Kunduru, B., DeKold, J., Mengistie, E., McDonald, A., Stubbs, C. J., Sekhon, R. S., DeBolt, S. & Robertson, D. J., Jun 2024, In: MethodsX. 12, 102562.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Heritability of sensory attributes in a diverse group of rye accessions
Szuleta, E., Phillips, T., Gollihue, J. W., DeBolt, S., Perry, R. & Van Sanford, D. A., Dec 2023, In: Applied Food Research. 3, 2, 100353.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Moving toward short stature maize: The effect of plant height on maize stalk lodging resistance
Stubbs, C. J., Kunduru, B., Bokros, N., Verges, V., Porter, J., Cook, D. D., DeBolt, S., McMahan, C., Sekhon, R. S. & Robertson, D. J., Sep 1 2023, In: Field Crops Research. 300, 109008.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Unveiling the phenotypic landscape of stalk lodging resistance in diverse maize hybrids
Kunduru, B., Kumar, R., Brar, M. S., Stubbs, C. J., Tabaracci, K., Bokros, N. T., Bridges, W. C., Cook, D. D., DeBolt, S., McMahan, C. S., Robertson, D. J. & Sekhon, R. S., Dec 1 2023, In: Field Crops Research. 304, 109168.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Fractionation, characterization, and valorization of lignin derived from engineered plants
Liu, E., Li, W., DeBolt, S., Nokes, S. E. & Shi, J., Jun 1 2021, Emerging Technologies for Biorefineries, Biofuels, and Value-Added Commodities. p. 245-288 44 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
Lab-Scale Methodology for New-Make Bourbon Whiskey Production
Verges, V. L., Gollihue, J. W., Joyce, G. E. & DeBolt, S., Feb 2023, In: Foods. 12, 3, 457.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Genome Sequence Source of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Strain GD4a, a Bacterial Endophyte Associated with Switchgrass Plants
Yang, P., Bokros, N., Debolt, S., Zhao, Z. & Xia, Y., 2022, In: Phytobiomes Journal. 6, 4, p. 354-357 4 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
The semi-automated development of plant cell wall finite element models
Sayad, A., Oduntan, Y., Bokros, N., DeBolt, S., Benzecry, A., Robertson, D. J. & Stubbs, C. J., Dec 2023, In: Plant Methods. 19, 1, 3.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
The synthesis, regulation and modification of lignocellulosic biomass as a resource for biofuels and bioproducts
Harris, D., Petti, C. & De Bolt, S., Jan 1 2013, Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts. Vol. 9781461433484. p. 281-314 34 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
Engineering plant biomass lignin content and composition for biofuels and bioproducts
Welker, C. M., Balasubramanian, V. K., Petti, C., Rai, K. M., De Bolt, S. & Mendu, V., Aug 1 2015, In: Energies. 8, 8, p. 7654-7676 23 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
FRACTIONATION AND UPGRADE OF ENDOCARP LIGNIN TO CARBON- SILICON NANOCOMPOSITES AS AN ANODE MATERIAL IN LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES
Vin-Nnajiofor, M. C., Li, W., Debolt, S., Cheng, Y.-T. & Shi, J., 2022, In: Applied Engineering in Agriculture. 38, 3, p. 509-516Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Kentucky Distilled Spirits Industrial Decarbonization and Sustainability
DeBolt, S. (PI)
KY Energy and Environment Cabinet
9/16/24 → 6/30/26
Project: Research project
Project Reduce Geosmin in Grain for Distillery Use
DeBolt, S. (PI)
4/2/24 → 6/15/25
Project: Research project
JBBI 2022 010 Genetics Barometric Combo
DeBolt, S. (PI) & Berron, B. (CoI)
10/8/22 → 6/30/24
Project: Research project
JBBI 2022 010 Genetics Barometric Combo
Berron, B. (PI), DeBolt, S. (CoI) & Trinkle, C. (CoI)
10/8/22 → 6/30/24
Project: Research project
Kentucky Rye Whiskey Library
DeBolt, S. (PI)
Kentucky Small Grain Growers Association
9/1/22 → 3/31/26
Project: Research project
Project A Scope - Barrel Construction CY 2022
DeBolt, S. (PI) & Berron, B. (CoI)
11/1/21 → 12/31/22
Project: Research project
Barrel Construction CY 2022
Berron, B. (PI), Cochell, T. (CoI), DeBolt, S. (CoI), Martin, A. (CoI), Poovathingal, S. (CoI), Renfro, M. (CoI), Schafrik, S. (CoI), Seales, W. (CoI) & Trinkle, C. (CoI)
11/1/21 → 12/31/22
Project: Research project
Barrel Construction Study 1
Berron, B. (PI), DeBolt, S. (CoI) & Trinkle, C. (CoI)
12/15/20 → 5/31/22
Project: Research project
Independent Stave Company Support for University of Kentucky on Flavor Mapping in White Oak
DeBolt, S. (PI)
4/15/19 → 10/31/26
Project: Research project
Makers Mark Support for University of Kentucky on Flavor Mapping in White Oak
DeBolt, S. (PI)
Makers Mark Distillery Incorporated
4/15/19 → 12/31/25
Project: Research project
Effects of ACS 811 on Horticultural and Research Crops in Field and Greenhouse
DeBolt, S. (PI)
8/1/18 → 10/31/22
Project: Research project
NSF EPSCoR: RII Track-1: Kentucky Advanced Manufacturing Partnership for Enhanced Robotics and Structures
DeBolt, S. (PI)
7/1/19 → 6/30/24
Project: Research project
NSF EPSCoR: RII Track-1: Kentucky Advanced Manufacturing Partnership for Enhanced Robotics and Structures
Andrews, R. (PI), Anthony, J. (CoI), Berron, B. (CoI), Brill, J. (CoI), Chappell, J. (CoI), Crofcheck, C. (CoI), DeBolt, S. (CoI), Graham, K. (CoI), Hoagg, J. (CoI), McCarthy, C. (CoI), Mossey, J. (CoI), Pham, J. (CoI), Risko, C. (CoI), Sunderam, S. (CoI), Trinkle, C. (CoI), Weisenberger, M. (CoI) & Odom, S. (Former CoI)
7/1/19 → 6/30/24
Project: Research project
On-Farm Biomass Processing: Towards an Integrated High Solids Transporting/Storing/Processing System
DeBolt, S. (PI)
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
7/1/12 → 6/30/16
Project: Research project
Participant Support Scope: Graduate Students: NRT: IN FElloWS & an Academy of Innovators at the Nexus of Food, Energy & Water Systems
Santillan-Jimenez, E. (PI), Barton, C. (CoI), DeBolt, S. (CoI), Moe, L. (CoI), Agouridis, C. (CoPI), Escobar, I. (CoPI), Mark, T. (CoPI), Crocker, M. (Former PI) & Landon, J. (Former CoI)
9/1/19 → 8/31/25
Project: Research project
Participant Support Scope: Undergraduate Students: NRT: IN FElloWS & an Academy of Innovators at the Nexus of Food, Energy & Water Systems
Santillan-Jimenez, E. (PI), Barton, C. (CoI), DeBolt, S. (CoI), Moe, L. (CoI), Agouridis, C. (CoPI), Escobar, I. (CoPI), Mark, T. (CoPI), Crocker, M. (Former PI) & Landon, J. (Former CoI)
9/1/19 → 8/31/25
Project: Research project
Participant Support Scope: NRT: IN FElloWS & an Academy of Innovators at the Nexus of Food, Energy & Water Systems
Santillan-Jimenez, E. (PI), Barton, C. (CoI), DeBolt, S. (CoI), Moe, L. (CoI), Agouridis, C. (CoPI), Escobar, I. (CoPI), Mark, T. (CoPI), Crocker, M. (Former PI) & Landon, J. (Former CoI)
9/1/19 → 8/31/25
Project: Research project
ARS/SCA: Forage Systems for Sustainable Animal Production in the Mid-South
DeBolt, S. (PI)
8/1/14 → 4/30/18
Project: Research project
NSF EPSCoR: Powering the Kentucky Bioeconomy for a Sustainable Future: DeBolt Scope
DeBolt, S. (PI) & Andrews, R. (CoI)
8/1/15 → 7/31/19
Project: Research project
Education
- PhD in Plant Biology, University of Adelaide
- BS Agricultural Science -Chemistry, University of Sydney
Associated Departments