Ricarda began her research journey during her undergraduate degree in Medicinal Chemistry at the University of New Brunswick. Under the supervision of Dr. Larry Calhoun, she undertook a project in computational chemistry and elucidated the spectral properties of a newly discovered natural product. She later completed her Honours thesis in applied quantum chemistry under Dr. Allan Adam where she computed the physical properties of a gaseous diatom using laser spectroscopy. During a research fellowship at the Netherlands Institute of Innovative Ocular Surgery in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, she participated in various projects on novel oculo-surgical techniques (such as the Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) technique for Fuchs endothelial dystrophy and Bowman layer transplantation as an emerging treatment option for keratoconus), yielding international publications in both English and German.

            Ricarda gained acceptance to Dalhousie Medical School in 2016 and has since worked on projects in the history of medicine (on the roots of occupational therapy in the therapeutic arts and communal craft work) under Dr. Sasha Mullally, and in bioethics (on medical assistance in dying and its current challenges in the Canadian context) under Dr. Timothy Christie. She also currently sits on the CFMS Health Research Task Force to propose recommendations on motion M-132. Her projects have resulted in presentations at over 10 conferences, including the New Brunswick Health Research Conference, High Performance Computing Symposium, Global Health and Innovation Conference, and the International Symposium on Molecular Spectroscopy.

Explore Ricarda's Research

Ophthalmology

1.

Contact Lens Spectrum - Contact Lenses After Keratoplasty. https://www.clspectrum.com/issues/2014/august-2014/contact-lenses-after-keratoplasty. Accessed February 2, 2018.

2.

Konder R, Baydoun L, Dirisamer M, Ciechanowski P, Oellerich S, Melles G. Descemet Membran Endothelkeratoplastik (DMEK) und/oder Phakoemulsifikation in phaken Augen mit Hornhautendotheldystrophie. Spektrum Augenheilkd. 2015;29(1):19-24. doi:10.1007/s00717-015-0253-x

3.

Edition OSNE, Dirisamer J 2014Martin, Konder MRM. How to perform DMEK: An introductory guide for young ophthalmologists. https://www.healio.com/ophthalmology/cornea-external-disease/news/print/ocular-surgery-news-europe-edition/%7B6aed48e0-95ad-4998-928d-3cdf13269bd6%7D/how-to-perform-dmek-an-introductory-guide-for-young-ophthalmologists. Accessed February 2, 2018.

4.

Parker J, Ophthalmology Resident; Ophthalmology Resident, UAB Callahan Eye Hospital, Birmingham, Alabama, US, Konder RM, et al. Toward Safer Treatment Options for Advanced Keratoconus. US Ophthalmic Review. 2015;8(1):33. doi:10.17925/usor.2015.8.1.33

Chemistry

1.

Yu C-M, Calhoun LA, Konder RM, Grant AS. Huperzimine, a novel Lycopodium alkaloid from Huperzia serrata. Can J Chem. 2014;92(5):406-410. doi:10.1139/cjc-2013-0520

2.

Adam AG. LASER SPECTROSCOPY OF RUTHENIUM CONTAINING DIATOMIC MOLECULES: RuH/D AND RuP. 23-Jun-15. https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/handle/2142/79079. Accessed February 2, 2018.

3.

Adam AG. The mystery of the electronic spectrum of ruthenium monophosphide. June 2016. https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/handle/2142/91340. Accessed February 2, 2018.