Dr. Perez is director of the Drug Development Unit at the Sarah Cannon Research Institute at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS) in Lake Nona, Florida, one of three within the statewide practice that focus exclusively on advancing cancer treatment through early-phase clinical trials research.

A globally-recognized cancer expert who has dedicated his career to transformational oncology research, Dr. Perez leads the development of novel therapies for all solid tumors, with a specialized focus on head and neck cancer. He is executive chair of the Head and Neck Cancer Group for the Sarah Cannon Network and an affiliate associate professor at the University of Central Florida.

Dr. Perez has served as principal investigator for numerous clinical trials, including first in-human trials. He has authored and co-authored several abstracts published in prestigious clinical journals and presented at national and global symposiums.

Dr. Perez has held prestigious roles and committee appointments. He serves as an ASCO® (American Society of Clinical Oncology) Ambassador, as chair of the Head and Neck Educational Committee for the ASCO® annual meeting, and as a member of its scientific and educational committees of oncology physicians and professionals from around the globe working to conquer cancer through research, education, policy and promotion of high quality and equitable patient care.

Prior to joining FCS in 2021, Dr. Perez served as associate professor of medicine at the University of Miami, where he co-led Phase 1 oncology clinical research as well as the Head and Neck Group, and as assistant professor of medicine at the University of Louisville, where he received the Best Faculty Teacher Award in 2015 and 2017.

Dr. Perez earned his medical degree from the University of Panama School of Medicine. He completed his internal medicine residency at the Cleveland Clinic in Florida and pursued his oncology-hematology fellowship at the University of Miami, where he served as chief fellow and was honored with the Peter A. Cassileth, MD Award as an outstanding fellow.