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Dr Denys Villa Gomez
Dr

Denys Villa Gomez

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 53857

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

Research interests

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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

63 works between 2009 and 2025

1 - 20 of 63 works

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

Bio-inspired metal extraction: Tailoring peptides for highly selective scandium recovery

2025

Conference Publication

Protein identification and binding capacity of Pseudomonas putida to critical metals

Webster, Luke J., Palfreyman, Robin, Gillane, Rosemary, Soto, Fernanda, Marcellin, Esteban and Villa-Gomez, Denys (2025). Protein identification and binding capacity of Pseudomonas putida to critical metals. 63rd Annual Conference of Metallurgists (COM 2024), Halifax, NS, Canada, 19-22 August 2024. Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-67398-6_202

Protein identification and binding capacity of Pseudomonas putida to critical metals

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

Review on developments in technologies for critical metal recovery from mining and processing wastes

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.

Improving bioleaching efficiency of critical elements from bauxite residue

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

A synthetic biology approach for the treatment of pollutants with microalgae

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

Fabrication of peptide-encapsulated sodium alginate hydrogel for selective gallium adsorption

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

Craft Brewery Wastewater Treatment in a Scalable Microbial Fuel Cell Stack

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

Effect of feeding frequency on the anaerobic digestion of berry fruit waste

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.

Protein identification for binding of critical elements in bauxite residue

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.

Using synthetic biology to accelerate critical metals recovery from mine waste

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

Element distribution in electrochemically treated mine wastewater for efficient resource recovery and water treatment: a pilot study

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

Arsenic (III) and arsenic (V) removal from acidic mine waters using an acidophilic sulfate-reducing bioreactor

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

Enhancing the recovery of volatile fatty acids from strawberry extrudate through anaerobic fermentation at different pH values

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

Role of the substrate on Ni inhibition in biological sulfate reduction

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.

Review of mineral processing technologies suitable for arsenic recovery from sulphidic ores and wastes

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.

Critical metals concentration from mine wastes in Mexico, Chile and Australia: A data integration approach

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

High-rate sulfate removal coupled to elemental sulfur production in mining process waters based on membrane-biofilm technology

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

Resource recovery from industrial wastewater: what and how much is there?

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

Established technologies for metal recovery from industrial wastewater streams

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

Data Integration of Critical Elements from Mine Waste in Mexico, Chile and Australia

Funding

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2025
    Performance assessment of naturally cemented hardpans for zinc and lead tailings
    Cobar Operations Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2029
    ARC Training Centre in Critical Resources for the Future (ARC ITRP administered by The University of Western Australia)
    University of Western Australia
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2028
    Biosustainability Hub: Paving the way to net zero using biological strategies
    Woodside Energy Technologies Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2026
    Using synthetic biology to accelerate critical metal recovery from mine waste
    Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2027
    ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology (ARC Centre of Excellence administered by Macquarie University)
    Macquarie University
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2022
    Advancing rapid in-field quantification of Soil Organic Carbon
    Commonwealth Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    Review of arsenic treatment technologies
    MMG Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2023
    Geometallurgical characterisation of the Old Tailings Dam (OTD) for the recovery of Cobalt
    Grange Resources (Tasmania) Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2024
    Exploration of new economy metals in Queensland's mine waste
    Queensland Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Waste-to-value: selective recovery of Nickel and Cobalt from mining waste
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2017
    Dr Denys Villa Gomez - Maternity Funding (Advance Queensland Women's Academic Fund)
    Queensland Government Advance Queensland Women's Academic Fund
    Open grant

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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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

  • 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

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Process Modelling and Control of an Integrated Anaerobic-Algae Wastewater Treatment System

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Using synthetic biology to accelerate critical metals recovery from mine waste

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Esteban Marcellin

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Profitable Upcycling of GM Biomass from Precision Fermentation

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Esteban Marcellin

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) treatment utilising synthetic membrane technology

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Mansour Edraki

  • 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

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

Need help?

For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au