Arlette Perry joined the University of Miami faculty and became Director of the Laboratory of Clinical & Applied Physiology (formerly known as Human Performance and Research Laboratory) in 1981.  She is currently the chair of the Exercise and Sport Science Department.  Perry holds a secondary appointment in the School of Medicine’s Department of Internal Medicine.  Her research focuses on cardiovascular physiology with emphasis in coronary risk factors, obesity, women’s health, and pediatrics.

A former secondary school teacher, Perry earned a Ph.D. in exercise physiology from New York University and is a certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist.  She received a Florida’s Governor Award for Outstanding Achievement in the field of Physical Fitness.

Perry serves on the University Scientific Misconduct Committee in Research and the University of Miami Research Council.  In addition, she has reviewed publications for several professional journals including obesity research, Journal of Sports Nutrition, Journal of Pediatrics, and the American Heart Journal.  

Dr. Perry has been the principal investigator of several clinical trials designed to examine the impact of pharmacological agents on weight loss in both adults and adolescents.  She has also examined and published research on diet and exercise on weight loss.  Her most recent publications include “The Effects of an Exercise Physiology Program on Physical Fitness Variables, Body Satisfaction and Physiology Knowledge,” in Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research , and "A Comparison of Health and Fitness-Related Variables in a Small Sample of Children of Japanese Descent on Two Continents," in Archives of Pediatric Adolescent Medicine . 

Perry is a member of the American College of Sports Medicine, Postgraduate Medicine, National Strength and Conditioning Association, American Heart Association, Center for Science in the Public Interest, New York Academy of Sciences, North American Association for the Study of Obesity, National Council on Women’s Health and American Society of Exercise Physiologists.  She serves as an advisor to the Health Foundation of South Florida.