Young Biochemist Adrià Archilla to Lead UdA's New Health Research Institute

Adrià Archilla, a young Andorran biochemist with a PhD in biomedicine, has been selected to lead the University Institute for Health Research (IURS) at the University of Andorra (UdA).

Archilla, who will take on the role following a selection process among interested researchers, aims to elevate the institute's profile. The IURS will unify all health-related research previously conducted at the UdA, including the epidemiological laboratory transferring from the Andorran Health Assistance Service (SAAS) to the public university's umbrella. UdA rector Juli Minoves announced several weeks ago that the institute will receive significant support in 2026.

Originally from Vilafranca del Penedès, Archilla moved to Andorra at age seven, completing his basic education there alongside family and friends. He studied biochemistry at the University of Barcelona, followed by a master's in clinical analysis labs. His integrated PhD program in biomedicine at the Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (Idibell), based at Hospital Duran i Reynals in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, focused on squamous cell skin cancer. As part of a government-funded team, he examined the role of immunosuppressive cells in resistance to immunotherapy for these carcinomas.

Before joining the UdA as a researcher and lecturer, Archilla coordinated Andorra Sostenible until March 2024—a tenure of just over six months. He also helped launch the Andorran section of the Catalan Society of Biology (SCB) during his studies and was already active in the UdA's Health Sciences and Sanitary Services Research Group.

Still under 30, Archilla now faces the challenge of management alongside research and teaching. The IURS seeks to advance active health and well-being across the human life cycle through projects on ageing, chronic conditions, and other priorities for Andorra's health system. Specific goals include establishing an international reference centre for research in health, ageing, prevention, genomics, epidemiology, physical activity, and sports; developing applied projects to improve population health; training qualified professionals; and transferring scientific knowledge to promote disease prevention, early detection, and treatment.