McClaran is a Lab Manager and Staff Researcher in the Sandin Lab, where she is involved in many projects through logistical and research support. She graduated from Occidental College in 2022 with an Honors BA in Biology with a Marine Biology emphasis, where she researched ocean acidification on Hawaiian gastropods using a museum shell collection. She engaged in interdisciplinary biodiversity and conservation research for non-profit and governmental groups throughout college, and worked as a STEM educator in various capacities.