M.Sc. 2011 with Tomas Hrbek
Karla was a student in the Biology program of the University of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras campus where she was advised by Tomas Hrbek. For her Masters project, Karla investigated the quantitative genetic basis of wing shape and color spot pattern on the wings of Heliconius butterflies. This question was addressed by studying an interspecific hybrid of H. notabilis and H. melpomone that for a long time has been natural model system for the study of speciation and the evolution of aposematic colors and the associated Batesian and Mullerian mimicry. Karla was initially advised by W. Owen McMillan. Karla is currently working for the Institute of Forensic Sciences of Puerto Rico.