Karla is originally from Mexico. At an early age, she discovered her passion for the ocean and marine creatures; this interest led her to study biology with a focus on coastal environments. She has completed her studies at the University of Guadalajara, where she graduated with honors. Her final research project was “Benthic macrofauna of the intertidal sandy beaches of Bahia de Banderas, Jalisco-Nayarit.”

During her career, she volunteered at the sea turtles camp in Boca de Tomates, in the Mexican Pacific. Furthermore, she was part of the Marine Ecology Laboratory of the University Center of the Coast for three years, where she participated in several projects; among them in the recruitment of marine invertebrates in fragments of dead coral. The professional practices were carried out by the non-profit organization "Amigos de Sian Kaan," in the marine program mainly working on a proposal for monitoring coral reefs and measuring temperatures in different coral patches on the coast of Quintana Roo, Mexico. At the end of her studies, She worked on environmental impact in a consultancy in Cancun.

She is currently a master student in marine sciences interested in working in population genetics with an approach to conservation.​