Dr. Perry is a licensed speech-language pathologist and speech scientist. She is a Professor at East Carolina University where she conducts research using magnetic resonance imaging and 3D computer technology to study the anatomy, speech, and surgical approaches used to treat cleft palate. Her research is funded through the National Institute of Health. Her current collaborative work aims to examine how the variations in presurgical anatomy affect postsurgical speech outcomes in children born with cleft palate. Dr. Perry is the Editor in Chief for the Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal.
She serves on the cleft palate craniofacial team at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, NC. She is the director of the Speech Imaging and Visualization Laboratory at East Carolina University. Dr. Perry serves as the coordinator for the resonance disorders clinic where she provides speech evaluations and therapy to individuals with errors related to cleft palate and resonance disorders. Dr. Perry also provides support and training through surgical mission trips to third-world countries.