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.

More evidence for Lab Lit on the map!

Posted on 4 March 2014 by Steve Caplan

A quick search of Google Scholar yielded some of my publications on Jenny’s Lab Lit site, in addition to the expected scientific papers. If that’s not a sign of Lab Lit on the map, then I don’t know what is! … Continue reading →

Posted in author, authors, Books, Google Scholar, humor, lab lit, Research, science | Comments Off on More evidence for Lab Lit on the map!

My fair book

Posted on 23 February 2014 by Steve Caplan

Yesterday afternoon I participated in the Omaha Public Library’s annual author fair, featuring (mostly) local authors and their books. The highlight, of course, was my own table featuring the “new genre of Lab Lit” and my 3 modest contributions to … Continue reading →

Posted in authors, book fair, Books, lab lit, library, novels, omaha, Research, science | Comments Off on My fair book

Can’t have it both ways

Posted on 16 February 2014 by Steve Caplan

Over the past 8 months, I have watched with detached interest as the spectacle of the Snowden/NSA scandal unfolded and developed. As with many government-related A whistleblower, recently.  scandals,  who is ‘scandalized’ often depends on which side of the political … Continue reading →

Posted in 9-11, airport, national security agency, NSA, Orwell, scandal, snowden, spying, terror, US, whistle-blower | Comments Off on Can’t have it both ways

Next to (Ab)normal

Posted on 9 February 2014 by Steve Caplan

I’ve had a rough time this week; not just the stress at work, the snow storm here in Omaha, a bit of illness and a young inexperienced driver smacking into the back of our car. It’s more than that. Part … Continue reading →

Posted in "Matter Over Mind", actors, anger, bipolar disorder, depression, drugs, mental illness, musical, Next to Normal, Omaha Community Playhouse, parent, play, science | Comments Off on Next to (Ab)normal

Lab Lit on the map!

Posted on 2 February 2014 by Steve Caplan

A couple weeks ago I traveled to Purdue University to deliver 2 seminars. The first one, the “original invitation” was from the Dept. of Biology and was entitled “Lessons on the Biogenesis of Tubular Recycling Endosomes.” The second one, if … Continue reading →

Posted in art, History, lab lit, novels, Purdue, Research, science, tubular recycling endosomes, West Lafayette, Writing | Comments Off on Lab Lit on the map!

Shulamit Aloni (1928-2014): The Death of a Giant

Posted on 26 January 2014 by Steve Caplan

With great sadness I submit this short post on the recent death of one of my heroes: Shulamit Aloni. As an Israeli politician and winner of the Israel Prize for her life’s work, she is perhaps best known as a … Continue reading →

Posted in democracy, education, feminism, Israel, Meretz, peace, religious coercion, Research, science, Shulamit Aloni | Comments Off on Shulamit Aloni (1928-2014): The Death of a Giant

Critical Mass–a massive mystery and modicum of Lab Lit

Posted on 23 January 2014 by Steve Caplan

Now that I have published “A Degree of Betrayal” and am officially a writer of a mystery novel–even if it is not purely a genre novel–I am actively devouring all types of mystery novels. So please, I welcome suggestions! I … Continue reading →

Posted in atomic bomb, Chicago, Critical Mass, Fermi, Heisenberg, Holocaust, novel, nuclear fission, reading, Research, Sara Paretsky, science, World War II | Comments Off on Critical Mass–a massive mystery and modicum of Lab Lit

Open Access and the self-forming journal hierarchy

Posted on 18 January 2014 by Steve Caplan

I recently posted a piece on Occam’ Corner explaining why I think instituting radical changes in science publishing should not be a major focus of scientists at this juncture. As those who have read the post will realize, my point … Continue reading →

Posted in editor, editorial board, journals, manuscript, Open Access, paper, priorities, Research, science, Science Funding, science journals, science publishing | Comments Off on Open Access and the self-forming journal hierarchy

Gunning for a better life

Posted on 28 December 2013 by Steve Caplan

It’s been over a year since the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, and little remains of the resolve that seemed to develop within the American public to “do something.” I was taking advantage of glorious weather … Continue reading →

Posted in accidents, gun, guns, lives, NRA, responsibility, violence, weapons | Comments Off on Gunning for a better life

A study of Ginger using live-image analysis

Posted on 12 December 2013 by Steve Caplan

I have recently added a new title to my signature: that of director of our institute’s microscopy facility. One of my goals is to upgrade our capabilities and acquire a microscope capable of super-resolution; that is the ability to differentiate … Continue reading →

Posted in dogs, experiment, Ginger, gotcha, humor, live imaging analysis, microscopy, Research, science, vizsla | Comments Off on A study of Ginger using live-image analysis