Marcela studied Communications and Journalism at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. She was a coordinating editor, reporter and translator for the magazine Desinformémonos and also worked as reporter for the daily, La Jornada, writing about indigenous issues in the Ojarasca supplement. Her articles have been translated to various languages. She has also co-authored various books: YoSoy132, Voces del Movimiento; Tú y Yo Coincidimos en la Noche Terrible, a book criticizing the impunity and erasure of assassinated Mexican journalists; and Insurrección Creativa, Caja de Herramientas para la Revolución. She is also a radio host for the program Voces y Cantos de la Tierra Viva, transmitted by Radio Educación in which she discusses issues related to indigenous and rural communities in Mexico.