Lara Ferry's research on the evolution of jaws uses primarily fishes.

Fish are the most diverse of all the vertebrates, and are the group in which jaws first evolved. Most of her work has focused on functional traits associated with aquatic prey capture and processing, as well as how fish generate water flow into the head and over the respiratory structures.

She is a President's Professor, and the Associate Dean of Research and Strategic Initiatives for the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences.