Author Archives: Steve Caplan

About Steve Caplan

I am a Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska where I mentor a group of students, postdoctoral fellows and researchers working on endocytic protein trafficking. My first lablit novel, "Matter Over Mind," is about a biomedical researcher seeking tenure and struggling to overcome the consequences of growing up with a parent suffering from bipolar disorder. Lablit novel #2, "Welcome Home, Sir," published by Anaphora Literary Press, deals with a hypochondriac principal investigator whose service in the army and post-traumatic stress disorder actually prepare him well for academic, but not personal success. Novel #3, "A Degree of Betrayal," is an academic murder mystery. "Saving One" is my most recent novel set at the National Institutes of Health. Now IN PRESS: Today's Curiosity is Tomorrow's Cure: The Case for Basic Biomedical Research (CRC PRESS, 2021). https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/entity/author/B006CSULBW? All views expressed are my own, of course--after all, I hate advertising.

I sense a problem with undergraduate education

Posted on 24 August 2014 by Steve Caplan

A lot has been said about job prospects of biomedical graduate students and the ever-declining percentage of Ph.D. graduates who are ultimately able to find academic faculty positions. Indeed, the importance of exposing graduate students to a variety of scientific … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, biomedical researcher, career, critical thinking, education, grades, graduate education, graduate program, GRE, IDP, individual development plan, Occam's underwear, Ph.D., PhD, Research, researcher, science, science career, science careers, science jobs, student, students, undergraduate, undergraduate education, undergraduate students | Comments Off on I sense a problem with undergraduate education

It’s time to take responsibility – why the editor of The Lancet should resign

Posted on 9 August 2014 by Steve Caplan

There are a lot of people, governments, and organizations who need to step up and take responsibility. But in this piece about taking responsibility, I call on Richard Horton, editor-in-chief of The Lancet, the UK’s premier medical journal, to apologize … Continue reading →

Posted in "open letter to the people of Gaza, 9-11, academic boycott, deceit, doctors, editor, Gaza, Hamas, Interpal, Israel, Lancet Declaration of Interests Policy, lies, Manduca, Palestine, political agenda, Research, RESIGN!, Richard Horton, science, scientists, terror, terrorist, The Lancet | Comments Off on It’s time to take responsibility – why the editor of The Lancet should resign

That’s the way science works

Posted on 25 July 2014 by Steve Caplan

There have been a lot of articles published in newspapers around the world discussing a recent PLoS ONE paper published on July 23 by Harris and Provoust entitled “Jealousy in Dogs.” Ginger, in a reflective, non-jealous mode For those who … Continue reading →

Posted in animal behavior, behavior, canine, dog, dog sense, dogs, impact, jealousy, PLOS ONE, Research, science, Scientific method | Comments Off on That’s the way science works

Cultural and academic boycotts: why the BDS movement is an embarrassment and a failure

Posted on 19 July 2014 by Steve Caplan

Recently, Pink Floyd founder and (Boycott Divestment and Sanctions) BDS supporter Roger Waters publicly called on musician Neil Young not to perform in Tel Aviv, Israel. In his letter to Young, Waters wrote: “That you would lend support to, and … Continue reading →

Posted in academic boycott, anti-semitism, BDS, Gaza, Hamas, Israel, Jews, none is too many, Palestinians, Roger Waters, the Guardian, The New York Times | Comments Off on Cultural and academic boycotts: why the BDS movement is an embarrassment and a failure

Scientists: the same old villains and nerds

Posted on 15 July 2014 by Steve Caplan

Villains and nerds – that’s what scientists are, if you believe the media. At least the “big screen.” Finding myself in a state of near exhaustion this past month, I’ve taken the opportunity to watch a few films on ‘Netflix.’ … Continue reading →

Posted in films, geeks, lab lit, media, movies, nerds, public awareness, Research, science, scientists, villains | Comments Off on Scientists: the same old villains and nerds

A breath of fresh (scientific) air

Posted on 30 June 2014 by Steve Caplan

As I sat yesterday in a student career development workshop, and listened to the fears and anxieties surrounding the prospects of a career in academia – or in any scientific field, for that matter – I felt a million miles … Continue reading →

Posted in Andover, basic science, career development, Gordon Research Conference, GRC, lab, New Hampshire, postdocs, Proctor, professors, Research, science, students | Comments Off on A breath of fresh (scientific) air

World Cup SNOUT

Posted on 15 June 2014 by Steve Caplan

Caption, please?

Posted in doggy, Football, humor, World cup | Comments Off on World Cup SNOUT

Ring the bell for tea, Kitty!

Posted on 8 June 2014 by Steve Caplan

My family and I are big fans of Jane Austen. We particularly like the mid-1990s BBC version of Pride and Prejudice featuring Jennifer Ehle and a rather youthful-looking Colin Firth. Having seen the series a gazillion times, the hysterical voice … Continue reading →

Posted in bell, bells, botanical gardens, carillon, chimes, Eijbouts, Jane Austen, Lauritzen, Music, omaha, Pride and Prejudice | Comments Off on Ring the bell for tea, Kitty!

100 years of…. biochemistry!

Posted on 31 May 2014 by Steve Caplan

No, not 100 Years of Solitude – Biochemistry! Last week was a very special occasion in our department – the celebration of 100 years of existence of our department, the Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BMB). 100 years is … Continue reading →

Posted in 100 years, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, BMB, celebration, Nebraska, omaha, Research, science, UNMC | Comments Off on 100 years of…. biochemistry!

Reading into a major lifetime change?

Posted on 25 May 2014 by Steve Caplan

Last Sunday, I celebrated the publication of “A Degree of Betrayal” by doing a book signing at Omaha’s best book store, “The Bookworm.” My son baked brownies, my editor prepared a short passage for me to read as an introduction, … Continue reading →

Posted in "Matter Over Mind", A Degree of Betrayal, author, book sales, Books, ebooks, kindle, library, omaha, reading, The Bookworm | Comments Off on Reading into a major lifetime change?