Professional Profile

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.

Education

  • PhD in Plant Biology, University of Adelaide
  • BS Agricultural Science -Chemistry, University of Sydney

Associated Departments

Horticulture

James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits

Scholars@UK

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. 509-516

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

CHARACTERIZATION OF THE COMPOSITION, STRUCTURE, AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF ENDOCARP BIOMASS

Vin-Nnajiofor, M. C., Li, W., Debolt, S., Cheng, Y.-T. & Shi, J., 2022, In: Transactions of the ASABE. 65, 1, p. 67-74

Research 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 → 9/30/25

Project: Research project

Project Reduce Geosmin in Grain for Distillery Use

DeBolt, S. (PI)

Jim Beam Brands Company

4/2/24 → 6/15/25

Project: Research project

JBBI 2022 010 Genetics Barometric Combo

DeBolt, S. (PI) & Berron, B. (CoI)

Jim Beam Brands Company

10/8/22 → 6/30/24

Project: Research project

JBBI 2022 010 Genetics Barometric Combo

Berron, B. (PI), DeBolt, S. (CoI) & Trinkle, C. (CoI)

Jim Beam Brands Company

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)

Jim Beam Brands Company

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)

Jim Beam Brands Company

11/1/21 → 12/31/22

Project: Research project

Barrel Construction Study 1

Berron, B. (PI), DeBolt, S. (CoI) & Trinkle, C. (CoI)

Jim Beam Brands Company

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)

Independent Stave Company

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

Kentucky Spirits Research Institute

DeBolt, S. (PI)

Carbon Science Solutions LLC

9/20/18 → 6/19/20

Project: Research project

Effects of ACS 811 on Horticultural and Research Crops in Field and Greenhouse

DeBolt, S. (PI)

Alltech Incorporated

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)

National Science Foundation

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)

National Science Foundation

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)

National Science Foundation

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)

National Science Foundation

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)

National Science Foundation

9/1/19 → 8/31/25

Project: Research project

ARS/SCA: Forage Systems for Sustainable Animal Production in the Mid-South

DeBolt, S. (PI)

Agricultural Research Service

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)

National Science Foundation

8/1/15 → 7/31/19

Project: Research project