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
Finding efficient and sustainable methods to extract these resources from waste streams and low-grade ores is crucial. My work aims to develop innovative techniques that can address this global challenge.
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Bioprocesses enhancing circular economy
Bioprocesses play a crucial role in supporting the transition to a circular economy by enabling the conversion of waste materials into valuable products and resources. My work aims to develop innovative biotechnological solutions that convert greenhouse gases, mine waste and organic waste into valuable resources.
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Pollution prevention and control
My research focuses on leveraging life cycle assessment to pinpoint sustainability improvements in industrial processes. I'm also exploring the potential of biological systems as early warning detectors for pollution.
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
Book Chapter
Protein Identification and Binding Capacity of Pseudomonas putida to Critical Media
Webster, Luke J., Palfreyman, Robin, Gillane, Rosemary, Soto, Fernanda, Marcellin, Esteban and Villa-Gomez, Denys (2024). Protein Identification and Binding Capacity of Pseudomonas putida to Critical Media. Proceedings of the 63rd Conference of Metallurgists, COM 2024. (pp. 1185-1188) Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-67398-6_202
2024
Journal Article
Review on developments in technologies for critical metal recovery from mining and processing wastes
Villa Gomez, Denys, Whitworth, Anne J., Vaughan, James, Sultana, Ummul, Ledezma, Pablo and Parbhakar-Fox, Anita (2024). Review on developments in technologies for critical metal recovery from mining and processing wastes. Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy Review, 1-20. doi: 10.1080/08827508.2024.2408015
2024
Conference Publication
Improving bioleaching efficiency of critical elements from bauxite residue
Soto-Montandon, Fernanda, Webster, Luke, Gillane, Rosemary, Marcellin, Esteban and Villa-Gomez, Denys (2024). Improving bioleaching efficiency of critical elements from bauxite residue. Critical minerals conference 2024, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 26-28 August 2024.
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 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
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
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
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
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.
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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.
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Using synthetic biology to accelerate critical metals recovery from mine waste
This project aims to develop new biological tools to recover important metals from mining waste. Using advanced genetic engineering techniques, researchers will identify and enhance key microorganisms that can efficiently extract metals like gallium and rare earth elements. The goal is to design microbial communities that are better at recovering these valuable resources from waste materials.
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Biobased mineral carbonation using mine waste by-products
This research explores a novel way to reuse mine waste while helping combat climate change. The project aims to develop bioprocesses to capture carbon dioxide, produce elemental sulfur, and create high-purity calcium and magnesium carbonates, all with minimal chemical inputs.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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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
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
Acid Mine Drainage Passive Treatment Method Using Hyperaccumulator Plants for Post Mining Rehabilitation
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Gordon Southam, Professor Peter Erskine
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Doctor Philosophy
Profitable Upcycling of GM Biomass from Precision Fermentation
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Esteban Marcellin
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Doctor Philosophy
Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) treatment utilising synthetic membrane technology
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mansour Edraki
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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