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
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
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
2021
Conference Publication
Effect of feeding mode on anaerobic digestion of fruit waste
Ezieke, Arinze, Serrano, Antonio, Clarke, William and Villa Gomez, Denys (2021). Effect of feeding mode on anaerobic digestion of fruit waste. 18th International Symposium on Waste Management and Sustainable Landfilling, Sardinia, Italy, 11 - 15 October 2021. Rosslyn, United States: CISA Publisher.
2021
Journal Article
A sequential bioreactor adaption strategy enhanced the precipitation of metals from tailings’ leachates
Villa Gomez, D.K., Serrano, A., Peces, M., Ryan, B., Hofmann, H. and Southam, G. (2021). A sequential bioreactor adaption strategy enhanced the precipitation of metals from tailings’ leachates. Minerals Engineering, 170 107051, 107051. doi: 10.1016/j.mineng.2021.107051
2021
Conference Publication
Closing the loop in agricultural waste management: co-smouldered digestate ash as alkalinity and trace element supplement for anaerobic digestion
Ezieke, Arinze, Serrano, Antonio, Clarke, William and Villa Gomez, Denys K. (2021). Closing the loop in agricultural waste management: co-smouldered digestate ash as alkalinity and trace element supplement for anaerobic digestion. International Conference on Sustainable Solid Waste Management, Thessaloniki, Greece, 23 - 26 June 2021.
2021
Book Chapter
Biological treatment of mine-impacted waters on the context of metal recovery
Liu, Yun, Serrano, Antonio and Villa-Gomez, Denys (2021). Biological treatment of mine-impacted waters on the context of metal recovery. The future of effluent treatment plants: biological treatment systems. (pp. 499-522) edited by Maulin Shah, Susana Rodriguez-Couto and Kavit Mehta. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/b978-0-12-822956-9.00026-x
2020
Journal Article
Enhanced metal recovery by efficient agglomeration of precipitates in an up-flow fixed-bed bioreactor
Liu, Yun, Vaughan, James, Southam, Gordon, Serrano, Antonio, Marcellin, Esteban, Nancucheo, Ivan and Villa-Gomez, Denys K. (2020). Enhanced metal recovery by efficient agglomeration of precipitates in an up-flow fixed-bed bioreactor. Chemical Engineering Journal, 416 127662, 127662. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2020.127662
2020
Journal Article
A broad overview comparing a fungal, thermal and acid pre-treatment of bean straw in terms of substrate and anaerobic digestion effect
Montoya-Rosales, J. J., Peces, M., González-Rodríguez, L. M., Alatriste-Mondragón, F. and Villa-Gómez, D. K. (2020). A broad overview comparing a fungal, thermal and acid pre-treatment of bean straw in terms of substrate and anaerobic digestion effect. Biomass and Bioenergy, 142 105775, 105775. doi: 10.1016/j.biombioe.2020.105775
2020
Book Chapter
Valorization options of strawberry extrudate agro-waste. A review
Cubero-Cardoso, Juan, Serrano, Antonio, Trujillo-Reyes, Ángeles, K. Villa-Gómez, Denys, Borja, Rafael and Fermoso, Fernando G. (2020). Valorization options of strawberry extrudate agro-waste. A review. Innovation in the food sector through the valorization of food and agro-food by-products [Working Title]. (pp. 1-20) London, United Kingdom: IntechOpen. doi: 10.5772/intechopen.93997
2020
Journal Article
pH-Controlled fermentation of strawberry waste as phenol solubilisation method
Serrano, Antonio, Newton, Georgia, Alonso-Fariñas, Bernabe, Fermoso, Fernando G. and Villa-Gomez, Denys K. (2020). pH-Controlled fermentation of strawberry waste as phenol solubilisation method. Journal of Cleaner Production, 266 121924, 121924. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.121924
2020
Journal Article
Solubilization of phenols and sugars from raspberry extrudate by hydrothermal treatments
Cubero-Cardoso, Juan, Trujillo-Reyes, Ángeles, Marín-Ayllón, Patricia, Rodríguez-Gutiérrez, Guillermo, Villa-Gomez, Denys, Serrano, Antonio, Borja, Rafael and Fermoso, Fernando G. (2020). Solubilization of phenols and sugars from raspberry extrudate by hydrothermal treatments. Processes, 8 (7) 842, 842. doi: 10.3390/pr8070842
2020
Journal Article
Nickel complexation as an innovative approach for nickel-cobalt selective recovery using sulfate-reducing bacteria
Liu, Yun, Serrano, Antonio, Wyman, Valentina, Marcellin, Esteban, Southam, Gordon, Vaughan, James and Villa-Gomez, Denys (2020). Nickel complexation as an innovative approach for nickel-cobalt selective recovery using sulfate-reducing bacteria. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 402 123506, 123506. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123506
2020
Journal Article
Influence of inoculum selection on the utilisation of volatile fatty acid and glucose in sulfate reducing reactors
Patel, Miheka, Villa Gómez, Denys K., Pikaar, Ilje and Clarke, William P. (2020). Influence of inoculum selection on the utilisation of volatile fatty acid and glucose in sulfate reducing reactors. Environmental Technology, 43 (2), 1-12. doi: 10.1080/09593330.2020.1783371
2020
Journal Article
Self-sustaining treatment as a novel alternative for the stabilization of anaerobic digestate
Serrano, A., Wyn, H., Dupont, L., Villa-Gomez, D. K. and Yermán, L. (2020). Self-sustaining treatment as a novel alternative for the stabilization of anaerobic digestate. Journal of Environmental Management, 264 110544, 110544. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110544
2020
Journal Article
Is anaerobic digestion a feasible alternative to the combustion of olive mill solid waste in terms of energy production? A critical review
Serrano, Antonio, Villa-Gomez, Denys, Fermoso, Fernando G. and Alonso-Fariñas, Bernabé (2020). Is anaerobic digestion a feasible alternative to the combustion of olive mill solid waste in terms of energy production? A critical review. Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining, 15 (1) bbb.2159, 150-162. doi: 10.1002/bbb.2159
2019
Journal Article
The influence of biologically produced sulfide-containing solutions on nickel and cobalt precipitation reactions and particle settling properties
Liu, Yun, Serrano, Antonio, Vaughan, James, Southam, Gordon, Zhao, Ling and Villa-Gomez, Denys (2019). The influence of biologically produced sulfide-containing solutions on nickel and cobalt precipitation reactions and particle settling properties. Hydrometallurgy, 189 105142, 105142. doi: 10.1016/j.hydromet.2019.105142
2019
Conference Publication
The single-stage up-flow fixed bed reactor (UFBR) treating nickel and cobalt-containing wastewater
Liu, Yun, Serrano, Antonio, Vaughan, James, Southam, Gordon, Nancucheo, Ivan and Villa Gomez, Denys K. (2019). The single-stage up-flow fixed bed reactor (UFBR) treating nickel and cobalt-containing wastewater. 23rd International Bio-hydrometalurgy Symposium, Fukuoka, Japan, 20–23 October 201.
2019
Journal Article
Batch assays for biological sulfate-reduction: a review towards a standardized protocol
Serrano, Antonio, Peces, Miriam, Astals, Sergi and Villa-Gómez, Denys K. (2019). Batch assays for biological sulfate-reduction: a review towards a standardized protocol. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, 50 (12), 1-29. doi: 10.1080/10643389.2019.1644103
2019
Conference Publication
Self-sustaining treatment of digestate waste from semi-dry AD
Wyn, Hons, Dupont, L., Ezieke, Arinze, Villa Gomez, Denys and Yerman, Luis (2019). Self-sustaining treatment of digestate waste from semi-dry AD. 2019 International Conference on Water Waste and Energy Management, Paris, France, 22-24 July 2019. Badajoz, Spain: Sciknowledge Education Conferences.
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 (AMD) treatment utilising synthetic membrane technology
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: 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
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Doctor Philosophy
Profitable Upcycling of GM Biomass from Precision Fermentation
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Esteban Marcellin
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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