Overview
Background
Denys Villa Gomez holds a joint appointment at the University of Queensland as Senior Lecturer at the School of Civil Engineering and as a Research Fellow at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology. She obtained her PhD at the world-leading institute’s IHE-Delft/Wageningen University, The Netherlands in 2013. She applies advanced methodologies such as omics approaches and micro spectral tools to develop biotechnology processes that reduce carbon emissions and recover resources from mine waste and wastewater. She is the leader of the key area “Synbio Mining” within the recently created UQ Biosustainability Hub and chief investigator at the ARC Training Centre in Critical Resources for the Future. She has published over 40 peer-reviewed journal and conference papers cited more than 500 times, and has served as editor and reviewer for leading journals and advisory roles in industry and scientific committees (e.g. International Mine Water Association).
Teaching and Learning:
- Course coordinator and lecturer for Introduction to Environmental Engineering (CIVL2135)
- Course coordinator and lecturer for Environmental Phenomena (ENVE3160)
- Lecturer in Integrated Design for Environmental Management (CIVL4516)
- Lecturer in Sustainable Built Environment (CIVL4180)
Availability
- Dr Denys Villa Gomez is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Research interests
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Critical metals recovery
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Bioprocesses enhancing circular economy
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Pollution prevention and control
Research impacts
Denys has contributed to expanding the knowledge of engineering approaches and biobased processes for the treatment and management of waste and resource recovery from urban and industrial waste and wastewater. Her research leans on applying biological processes such as biological sulphate reduction for making the treatment of waste more sustainable and economically viable by maximising the efficiency and decreasing the environmental footprint of the operations. This has influenced the field nationally and internationally, as shown in her research metrics, conference invitations as a keynote speaker and as a member of international scientific committees. She is ranked No. 1 in Australia, and No. 11 worldwide in the SciVal topic “acid mine drainage; sulfate-reducing bacteria; sulphate”.
Works
Search Professor Denys Villa Gomez’s works on UQ eSpace
2025
Journal Article
Bio-inspired metal extraction: Tailoring peptides for highly selective scandium recovery
Zhang, Mengyun, Tian, Lei, Villa-Gomez, Denys, Zhang, Ling, Yang, Wenshuai, Liu, Yun and Cao, Yijun (2025). Bio-inspired metal extraction: Tailoring peptides for highly selective scandium recovery. Separation and Purification Technology, 354 128640, 128640. doi: 10.1016/j.seppur.2024.128640
2024
Journal Article
A synthetic biology approach for the treatment of pollutants with microalgae
Webster, Luke J., Villa-Gomez, Denys, Brown, Reuben, Clarke, William and Schenk, Peer M. (2024). A synthetic biology approach for the treatment of pollutants with microalgae. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 12 ARTN 1379301, 1-16. doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1379301
2024
Journal Article
Fabrication of peptide-encapsulated sodium alginate hydrogel for selective gallium adsorption
Liu, Yun, Xin, Zhiwei, Tian, Lei, Villa-Gomez, Denys, Wang, Wei and Cao, Yijun (2024). Fabrication of peptide-encapsulated sodium alginate hydrogel for selective gallium adsorption. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 263 (2) 130436, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.130436
2024
Journal Article
Craft Brewery Wastewater Treatment in a Scalable Microbial Fuel Cell Stack
Zapata-Martínez, Olivia, Villa-Gomez, Denys, Tapia-Tussell, Raul, Dominguez-Maldonado, Jorge, Hernández-Zárate, Galdy, España-Gamboa, Elda, Valdez-Ojeda, Rubí and Alzate-Gaviria, Liliana (2024). Craft Brewery Wastewater Treatment in a Scalable Microbial Fuel Cell Stack. Beverages, 10 (1) 20, 1-13. doi: 10.3390/beverages10010020
2024
Journal Article
Effect of feeding frequency on the anaerobic digestion of berry fruit waste
Ezieke, Arinze Hycienth, Serrano, Antonio, Peces, Miriam, Clarke, William and Villa-Gomez, Denys (2024). Effect of feeding frequency on the anaerobic digestion of berry fruit waste. Waste Management, 178, 66-75. doi: 10.1016/j.wasman.2024.02.011
2024
Conference Publication
Protein identification for binding of critical elements in bauxite residue
Webster, Luke, Marcellin, Esteban and Villa-Gomez, Denys (2024). Protein identification for binding of critical elements in bauxite residue. Australian Mine Waste Symposium Abstracts, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 6-7 February 2024. Brisbane, QLD Australia: Sustainable Minerals Institute.
2023
Conference Publication
Using synthetic biology to accelerate critical metals recovery from mine waste
Villa Gomez, Denys (2023). Using synthetic biology to accelerate critical metals recovery from mine waste. Critical Minerals Conference 2023, Perth, WA Australia, 21-23 November 2023. Carlton, VIC Australia: The Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.
2023
Journal Article
Element distribution in electrochemically treated mine wastewater for efficient resource recovery and water treatment: a pilot study
Gomez, Denys Villa, Hong, Paul, Berry, Luke, Liu, Di and Edraki, Mansour (2023). Element distribution in electrochemically treated mine wastewater for efficient resource recovery and water treatment: a pilot study. Chemosphere, 339 139536, 139536. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139536
2023
Journal Article
Arsenic (III) and arsenic (V) removal from acidic mine waters using an acidophilic sulfate-reducing bioreactor
Hernández, Pedro, Recio, Gonzalo, Schwarz, Alex, Villa-Gomez, Denys, Southam, Gordon, Saavedra-Mella, Felipe, Canales, Christian and Nancucheo, Ivan (2023). Arsenic (III) and arsenic (V) removal from acidic mine waters using an acidophilic sulfate-reducing bioreactor. Hydrometallurgy, 221 106137, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.hydromet.2023.106137
2022
Journal Article
Enhancing the recovery of volatile fatty acids from strawberry extrudate through anaerobic fermentation at different pH values
Cubero-Cardoso, Juan, Russo, Egidio, Serrano, Antonio, Trujillo-Reyes, Ángeles, Villa-Gomez, Denys, Esposito, Giovanni and Fermoso, Fernando G. (2022). Enhancing the recovery of volatile fatty acids from strawberry extrudate through anaerobic fermentation at different pH values. Environmental Technology and Innovation, 28 102587, 102587. doi: 10.1016/j.eti.2022.102587
2022
Journal Article
Role of the substrate on Ni inhibition in biological sulfate reduction
Liu, Yun, Vaughan, James, Southam, Gordon, Serrano, Antonio, Gao, Han, Palfreyman, Robin, Marcellin, Esteban and Villa-Gomez, Denys K. (2022). Role of the substrate on Ni inhibition in biological sulfate reduction. Journal of Environmental Management, 316 115216, 115216. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115216
2022
Other Outputs
Review of mineral processing technologies suitable for arsenic recovery from sulphidic ores and wastes
e Abreu, Susana Brito, Southam, Gordon, Villa Gomez, Denys, Ma, Xiaodong, Vaughan, James, Micklethwaite, Steven, Forbes, Liza and Parbhakar-Fox, Anita (2022). Review of mineral processing technologies suitable for arsenic recovery from sulphidic ores and wastes. Brisbane, QLD Australia: The University of Queensland.
2022
Conference Publication
Critical metals concentration from mine wastes in Mexico, Chile and Australia: A data integration approach
Saez Salgado, Enrique, Villa Gomez, Denys, Mejías, Olivia, Parbhakar-Fox, Anita, Pinedo-Torres, Laura A., Jackson, Laura and Pat-Espadas, Aurora M. (2022). Critical metals concentration from mine wastes in Mexico, Chile and Australia: A data integration approach. 16th SGA Biennial Meeting 2022, Rotorua, New Zealand, 28-31 March 2022.
2022
Journal Article
High-rate sulfate removal coupled to elemental sulfur production in mining process waters based on membrane-biofilm technology
Schwarz, Alex, Gaete, María, Nancucheo, Iván, Villa-Gomez, Denys, Aybar, Marcelo and Sbárbaro, Daniel (2022). High-rate sulfate removal coupled to elemental sulfur production in mining process waters based on membrane-biofilm technology. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 10 805712, 805712. doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.805712
2022
Book Chapter
Established technologies for metal recovery from industrial wastewater streams
Weijma, Jan, Klok, Johannes B.M., Dijkman, Henk, Jansen, Gijs, Sànchez-Andrea, Irene, Buisman, Cees J.N., van Hullebusch, Eric D., Hennebel, Tom, du Laing, Gijs, Cruz, Heidy, Pikaar, Ilje and Villa Gomez, Denys K. (2022). Established technologies for metal recovery from industrial wastewater streams. Resource recovery from water: principles and application. (pp. 295-317) edited by Ilje Pikaar, Jeremy Guest, Ramon Ganigué, Paul Jensen, Korneel Rabaey, Thomas Seviour, John Trimmer, Olaf van der Kolk, Céline Vaneeckhaute and Willy Verstraete. London, United Kingdom: IWA Publishing. doi: 10.2166/9781780409566_0295
2022
Book Chapter
Resource recovery from industrial wastewater: what and how much is there?
Walling, Eric, Moerman, Wim, Verstraete, Willy, Villa Gomez, Denys K. and Vaneeckhaute, Céline (2022). Resource recovery from industrial wastewater: what and how much is there?. Resource recovery from water: principles and application. (pp. 21-48) edited by Ilje Pikaar, Jeremy Guest, Ramon Ganigué, Paul Jensen, Korneel Rabaey, Thomas Seviour, John Trimmer, Olaf van der Kolk, Céline Vaneeckhaute and Willy Verstraete. London, United Kingdom: IWA Publishing. doi: 10.2166/9781780409566_0021
2022
Journal Article
Evaluation of operating conditions on sulfate reduction from acidic wastewater in a fixed-bed bioreactor
Hernández, Pedro, Recio, Gonzalo, Canales, Christian, Schwarz, Alex, Villa-Gomez, Denys, Southam, Gordon and Nancucheo, Ivan (2022). Evaluation of operating conditions on sulfate reduction from acidic wastewater in a fixed-bed bioreactor. Minerals Engineering, 177 107370, 107370. doi: 10.1016/j.mineng.2021.107370
2022
Journal Article
Data Integration of Critical Elements from Mine Waste in Mexico, Chile and Australia
Villa Gomez, Denys, Sáez Salgado, Enrique, Mejías, Olivia, Pat-Espadas, Aurora Margarita, Pinedo Torres, Laura Alejandra , Jackson, Laura and Parbhakar-Fox, Anita (2022). Data Integration of Critical Elements from Mine Waste in Mexico, Chile and Australia. Minerals, 12 (2) 122, 122. doi: 10.3390/min12020122
2022
Journal Article
Bottom ash from smouldered digestate and coconut coir as an alkalinity supplement for the anaerobic digestion of fruit waste
Ezieke, Arinze Hycienth, Serrano, Antonio, Clarke, William and Villa-Gomez, Denys Kristalia (2022). Bottom ash from smouldered digestate and coconut coir as an alkalinity supplement for the anaerobic digestion of fruit waste. Chemosphere, 296 134049, 134049. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134049
2022
Book
Simultaneous sulfate reduction and metal precipitation in an inverse fluidized bed reactor
Gómez, Denys Kristalia Villa (2022). Simultaneous sulfate reduction and metal precipitation in an inverse fluidized bed reactor. London, United Kingdom: CRC Press. doi: 10.1201/9781003059318
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Denys Villa Gomez is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
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Critical metals recovery from mine waste
This project will deliver engineered microbiomes that seed innovative technologies unlocking the recovery of critical metals. This will place the mining industry in the position to implement circular economy practises during mine closure by creating value from its resources.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Using synthetic biology to accelerate critical metals recovery from mine waste
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Esteban Marcellin
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Doctor Philosophy
Accelerating the extraction of critical metals such as rare earth elements and gallium from red mud tailings.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Esteban Marcellin
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Doctor Philosophy
Process Modelling and Control of an Integrated Anaerobic-Algae Wastewater Treatment System
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) treatment utilising synthetic membrane technology
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Mansour Edraki
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Doctor Philosophy
Acid Mine Drainage Passive Treatment Method Using Hyperaccumulator Plants for Post Mining Rehabilitation
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Gordon Southam, Professor Peter Erskine
Completed supervision
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Strategies for enhancing the anaerobic digestion of fruit waste for the management and valorisation of agricultural residues
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor William Clarke
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Strategies for nickel and cobalt recovery from mine-impacted water using sulfate-reducing bacteria
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor James Vaughan, Professor Gordon Southam
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
Using Municipal Solid Waste as a Carbon Source for Biogenic H2S production
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Ilje Pikaar, Associate Professor James Vaughan, Professor William Clarke
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr Denys Villa Gomez directly for media enquiries about:
- Acid mine drainage
- Bioenergy production
- Bioremediation
- Environmental Biotechnology
- Environmental Engineering
- Metals pollution
- Metals recovery
- Metals recovery mine waste
- Mine waste management
- Mining pollution control
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