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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

65 works between 2009 and 2025

41 - 60 of 65 works

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

Batch assays for biological sulfate-reduction: a review towards a standardized protocol

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.

Self-sustaining treatment of digestate waste from semi-dry AD

2019

Conference Publication

Integration of self-sustaining smouldering after semi-dry anaerobic digestion for a sustainable digestate management

Ezieke, Arinze, Serrano, Antonio, Yermán, Luis, Wyn, Hons and Villa Gomez, Denys K. (2019). Integration of self-sustaining smouldering after semi-dry anaerobic digestion for a sustainable digestate management. 16th IWA World Conference on Anaerobic Digestion, Delft, The Netherlands, 23-27 June 2019.

Integration of self-sustaining smouldering after semi-dry anaerobic digestion for a sustainable digestate management

2019

Conference Publication

Ni stress to sulphate reducing bacteria enhances Ni complexation: Opportunity for Ni-Co separation from wastewater

Liu, Yun, Wyman, Valentina, Serrano, Antonio, Southam, Gordon, Vaughan, James and Villa Gomez, Denys K. (2019). Ni stress to sulphate reducing bacteria enhances Ni complexation: Opportunity for Ni-Co separation from wastewater. IWA 16th World Conference on Anaerobic Digestion Conference AD16, Delft, The Netherlands, 23-27 June 2019.

Ni stress to sulphate reducing bacteria enhances Ni complexation: Opportunity for Ni-Co separation from wastewater

2019

Journal Article

Anaerobic digestion of bean straw applying a fungal pre-treatment and using cow manure as co-substrate

Villa Gomez, Denys Kristalia, Becerra Castañeda, Patricia, Montoya Rosales, Jose de Jesus and González Rodríguez, Luis Mario (2019). Anaerobic digestion of bean straw applying a fungal pre-treatment and using cow manure as co-substrate. Environmental Technology, 41 (22), 1-12. doi: 10.1080/09593330.2019.1587004

Anaerobic digestion of bean straw applying a fungal pre-treatment and using cow manure as co-substrate

2019

Journal Article

Rabbit manure as a potential inoculum for anaerobic digestion

Zapata Martínez, O., Serrano, A., Aguilera Flores, M. M. and Villa-Gómez, D. K. (2019). Rabbit manure as a potential inoculum for anaerobic digestion. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A, 54 (9), 934-950. doi: 10.1080/10934529.2019.1610293

Rabbit manure as a potential inoculum for anaerobic digestion

2019

Journal Article

Trace elements effect on hydrolytic stage towards biogas production of model lignocellulosic substrates

Wyman, Valentina, Serrano, Antonio, Fermoso, Fernando G. and Villa Gomez, Denys K. (2019). Trace elements effect on hydrolytic stage towards biogas production of model lignocellulosic substrates. Journal of Environmental Management, 234, 320-325. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.01.015

Trace elements effect on hydrolytic stage towards biogas production of model lignocellulosic substrates

2019

Journal Article

Performance of a sulfidogenic bioreactor inoculated with indigenous acidic communities for treating an extremely acidic mine water

González, Daniella, Liu, Yun, Villa Gomez, Denys, Southam, Gordon, Hedrich, Sabrina, Galleguillos, Pedro, Colipai, Camila and Nancucheo, Ivan (2019). Performance of a sulfidogenic bioreactor inoculated with indigenous acidic communities for treating an extremely acidic mine water. Minerals Engineering, 131, 370-375. doi: 10.1016/j.mineng.2018.11.011

Performance of a sulfidogenic bioreactor inoculated with indigenous acidic communities for treating an extremely acidic mine water

2018

Conference Publication

Microbial-mediated Ni and Co recovery from mine tailings

Villa Gomez, Denys , Liu, Yun, Vaughan, James, Marcellin, Esteban, Wyman, Valentina, Serrano, Antonio and Southam, Gordon (2018). Microbial-mediated Ni and Co recovery from mine tailings. 11th ICARD | IMWA | WISA MWD 2018 Conference – Risk to Opportunity, Pretoria, South Africa, 10-14 September 2018. Pretoria, South Africa: International Mine Water Association/WISA Mine Water Division.

Microbial-mediated Ni and Co recovery from mine tailings

2018

Conference Publication

Assessing biotic and abiotic conditions for understanding bioleaching processes in Zn-Pb-Ag tailings

Villa Gomez, Denys, Botsch Cellette Gomes, Patrick, Hofmann, Harald, Zhang, Chenming and Williams, David (2018). Assessing biotic and abiotic conditions for understanding bioleaching processes in Zn-Pb-Ag tailings. 11th ICARD | IMWA | WISA MWD 2018 Conference – Risk to Opportunity, Pretoria, South Africa , 10 – 14 September 2018. Pretoria, South Africa: International Mine Water Association/WISA Mine Water Division.

Assessing biotic and abiotic conditions for understanding bioleaching processes in Zn-Pb-Ag tailings

2017

Conference Publication

Integrated leaching/bioleaching and sulphate reducing processes for metal recovery and treatment of mine tailings

Gomez, Denys Villa, Hofmann, Harald, Kerr, Adam, Benjamin Ryan, Peces, M. and Southam, Gordon (2017). Integrated leaching/bioleaching and sulphate reducing processes for metal recovery and treatment of mine tailings. The 9th Acid and Metalliferous Draining Workshop, Burnie, Tasmania, 1 December 2017.

Integrated leaching/bioleaching and sulphate reducing processes for metal recovery and treatment of mine tailings

2017

Journal Article

Role of microbial accumulation in biological sulphate reduction using lactate as electron donor in an inversed fluidized bed bioreactor: operation and dynamic mathematical modelling

Cassidy, J., Frunzo, L., Lubberding, H. J., Villa-Gomez, D. K., Esposito, G., Keesman, Kj. and Lens, P. N. L. (2017). Role of microbial accumulation in biological sulphate reduction using lactate as electron donor in an inversed fluidized bed bioreactor: operation and dynamic mathematical modelling. International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation, 121, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.ibiod.2017.03.006

Role of microbial accumulation in biological sulphate reduction using lactate as electron donor in an inversed fluidized bed bioreactor: operation and dynamic mathematical modelling

2017

Book Chapter

Metal recovery from industrial and mining wastewaters using sulphate-reducing bioreactors

Villa-Gomez, Denys Kristalia and Lens, Piet N. L. (2017). Metal recovery from industrial and mining wastewaters using sulphate-reducing bioreactors. Sustainable Heavy Metal Remediation: Volume 2: Case studies. (pp. 81-114) edited by Eldon R. Rene, Erkan Sahinkaya, Alison Lewis and Piet Lens. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-61146-4_3

Metal recovery from industrial and mining wastewaters using sulphate-reducing bioreactors

2017

Conference Publication

Strategies in Ni and Co recovery with biogenic sulphide

Liu, Yun, Yao, Ming, Yoong, I., Peces, Miriam, Vaughan, James, Southam, Gordon and Villa Gomez, Denys K. (2017). Strategies in Ni and Co recovery with biogenic sulphide. 1st International congress on Metals in Anaerobic Biotechnologies (IMAB17), Seville, Spain, 4-6 October 2017. Seville, Spain:

Strategies in Ni and Co recovery with biogenic sulphide

2016

Conference Publication

Evaluation of pretreatment methods for the anaerobic digestion of bean straw

Montoya-Rosales, J. J., González-Rodríguez, L. M., Alatriste-Mondragón, F. and Villa-Gómez, D. K. (2016). Evaluation of pretreatment methods for the anaerobic digestion of bean straw. 4th International Conference on Sustainable Solid Waste Management, Limassol, Cyprus, 3-25 June 2016.

Evaluation of pretreatment methods for the anaerobic digestion of bean straw

2015

Journal Article

Effect of process variables on the sulfate reduction process in bioreactors treating metal-containing wastewaters: factorial design and response surface analyses

Villa-Gomez, D. K., Pakshirajan, K., Maestro, R., Mushi, S. and Lens, P. N. L. (2015). Effect of process variables on the sulfate reduction process in bioreactors treating metal-containing wastewaters: factorial design and response surface analyses. Biodegradation, 26 (4), 299-311. doi: 10.1007/s10532-015-9735-4

Effect of process variables on the sulfate reduction process in bioreactors treating metal-containing wastewaters: factorial design and response surface analyses

2015

Journal Article

Effect of hydraulic retention time on metal precipitation in sulfate reducing inverse fluidized bed reactors

Villa Gomez, Denys Kristalia, Enright, Anne Marie, Rini, Eki Listya, Buttice, Audrey, Kramer, Herman and Lens, Piet (2015). Effect of hydraulic retention time on metal precipitation in sulfate reducing inverse fluidized bed reactors. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, 90 (1), 120-129. doi: 10.1002/jctb.4296

Effect of hydraulic retention time on metal precipitation in sulfate reducing inverse fluidized bed reactors

2014

Journal Article

Sulfide response analysis for sulfide control using apS electrode in sulfate reducing bioreactors

Villa-Gomez, D. K., Cassidy, J., Keesman, K. J., Sampaio, R. and Lens, P. N. L. (2014). Sulfide response analysis for sulfide control using apS electrode in sulfate reducing bioreactors. Water Research, 50, 48-58. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2013.10.006

Sulfide response analysis for sulfide control using apS electrode in sulfate reducing bioreactors

2014

Journal Article

Morphology, mineralogy, and solid-liquid phase separation characteristics of Cu and Zn precipitates produced with biogenic sulfide

Villa-Gomez, D. K., van Hullebusch, E. D., Maestro, R., Farges, F., Nikitenko, S., Kramer, H., Gonzalez-Gil, G. and Lens, P. N. L. (2014). Morphology, mineralogy, and solid-liquid phase separation characteristics of Cu and Zn precipitates produced with biogenic sulfide. Environmental Science and Technology, 48 (1), 664-673. doi: 10.1021/es402795x

Morphology, mineralogy, and solid-liquid phase separation characteristics of Cu and Zn precipitates produced with biogenic sulfide

2013

Journal Article

Acid mine drainage treatment in fluidized-bed bioreactors by sulfate-reducing bacteria: a critical review

Papirio, S., Villa-Gomez, D. K., Esposito, G., Pirozzi, F. and Lens, P. N. L. (2013). Acid mine drainage treatment in fluidized-bed bioreactors by sulfate-reducing bacteria: a critical review. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, 43 (23), 2545-2580. doi: 10.1080/10643389.2012.694328

Acid mine drainage treatment in fluidized-bed bioreactors by sulfate-reducing bacteria: a critical review

Funding

Current funding

  • 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

  • 2024 - 2025
    Performance assessment of naturally cemented hardpans for zinc and lead tailings
    Cobar Operations Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 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

    Using synthetic biology to accelerate critical metals recovery from mine waste

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Esteban Marcellin

  • 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

    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

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Profitable Upcycling of GM Biomass from Precision Fermentation

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Esteban Marcellin

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