Joel Milam

Joel Milam, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) School of Public Health. He serves as Co-Leader of the Cancer Control Program at the UCI Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and Co-Director of the Southern California Center for Young Adult Cancer Survivorship Research. His work focuses on psychological and behavioral adaptation to stress and disease, particularly among Latino cancer survivors.

• PhD in Preventative Medicine (Health Behavior Research), University of Southern California (2002)
• MA in Psychology, California State University, Long Beach (1996)

Milam’s research centers on young adult cancer survivorship, positive psychology, HIV prevention, and health disparities. He investigates barriers to follow-up care, substance use prevention, adherence to care protocols, and protective factors for health outcomes. His studies often address cultural and socioeconomic influences on survivorship experiences.

Milam’s recent publications highlight cancer screening disparities, tobacco use dynamics, fertility discussions in oncology, and interventions to improve healthcare self-efficacy. His work spans behavioral epidemiology, health communication, and technology-driven approaches like virtual human healthcare guides.

• President of the Positive Health and Wellbeing Division, International Positive Psychology Association (2021-2023)
• Mentoring Award, University of Southern California (2018)
• Professor of the Year, Kappa Alpha Theta, USC (2007)

Milam’s grants from the National Cancer Institute support projects on survivorship care, social health, and health behavior interventions. He collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to address disparities in cancer outcomes and improve quality of life through population-based research.