Karla is a scientist on a mission. Studying microbes that have an extraordinary capacity to thrive in hostile conditions, Karla aims to unveil their secrets and learn how to endow biological molecules, and possibly organisms, with the ability to tolerate extreme environments.
Before joining Newcastle University, Karla completed her BSc degree in Environmental Microbiology at Michigan State University. There, working with Professor Terence Marsh, she helped identify new natural sources of antifungal compounds.
Currently, Karla is exploring the molecular biology of extremophiles to understand their extraordinary capacity to resist heat, cold, and other hostile environments. Her work is supported by the NUORS Scholarship, an award that she won in 2021 and that is given to the very best international students hoping to pursue a program of research at Newcastle University.