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.

A week of betrayal

Posted on 7 December 2013 by Steve Caplan

Winter has finally arrived here in Nebraska; from mid-50 degree F weather just a few days ago, we hit a chilly low of 1 degree F early this morning. Even some of the local youth actually abandoned their gym shorts … Continue reading →

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A Degree of Betrayal

Posted on 23 November 2013 by Steve Caplan

What a week it’s been! My book launch for “A Degree of Betrayal” in now finally underway! I am delighted to report that “A Degree of Betrayal” is now officially on sale!

Posted in A Degree of Betrayal, book, Book launch, Books, career, female protagonist, feminism, graduate student, midlife crisis, PhD, Research, science, sexual harassment, student | Comments Off on A Degree of Betrayal

Has a career in science become a dog’s life?

Posted on 17 November 2013 by Steve Caplan

Ginger, after retrieving a gazillion tennis balls on a beautiful Sunday morning. “A dog’s life?” Certainly a misnomer if I’ve ever heard one; at least for this dog, life is good.

Posted in careers, dog, funding, grants, investigators, NIH, personnel, proposals, Research, science, scientists | Comments Off on Has a career in science become a dog’s life?

When the sh*te hits the asphalt

Posted on 27 October 2013 by Steve Caplan

It’s a beautiful day in Omaha, Nebraska. Autumn foliage is spectacular this year, likely due to decent rains and very gradual temperature drops. So I took my favorite dog, and headed off to my favorite nearby lake. I am a … Continue reading →

Posted in humor, Lake Zorinsky, microscopy, Nebraska, omaha, poop and scoop, Research, science, vizsla, walking | Comments Off on When the sh*te hits the asphalt

Call for Papers?

Posted on 23 October 2013 by Steve Caplan

A few days ago I received an email from “The American International Journal of Contemporary Research“–now there’s an oxymoronic journal title: American International. Make up your minds! Apparently, this journal is not good at ‘making up its mind,’ as the … Continue reading →

Posted in American-International, broad-specific, fed up with BS, get serious, humor, journals, oxymoron, papers, peer review, pretend peer review, Research, science, scope | Comments Off on Call for Papers?

Noble/Nobel Validation

Posted on 19 October 2013 by Steve Caplan

For the past 10 years–my career as an independent investigator–I feel as though I have been swimming against the tide. The science that I was trained to do, the critical thinking and desire to understand the fundamental basis of how … Continue reading →

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Mass disgruntlement among scientists is growing

Posted on 15 October 2013 by Steve Caplan

This popped into my inbox today, and probably into those of every other American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology member. Life made easy–no need to blog my disgruntlement–it’s all been done for me (see standard letter below). But I … Continue reading →

Posted in budget, NIH, Research, save science now!, science, sequester, US government | Comments Off on Mass disgruntlement among scientists is growing

Hey, you guys in DC, I’m trying to work here!

Posted on 1 October 2013 by Steve Caplan
Posted in Research, science, Waste of money | Comments Off on Hey, you guys in DC, I’m trying to work here!

Will the real Edinburgh please stand up?

Posted on 21 September 2013 by Steve Caplan

In continuation of my recent blog about travels to Scandinavia, I will stay with the theme of northern Europe because I have recently listened to several audiobooks whose locale is firmly rooted in Edinburgh, Scotland. The books to which I … Continue reading →

Posted in authors, Books, Dalhousie, Edinburgh, McCall Smith, Rankin, Rebus, science, Scotland | Comments Off on Will the real Edinburgh please stand up?

From Omaha to Umea: Adventures and misadventures

Posted on 12 September 2013 by Steve Caplan

Some time ago I was contacted and asked whether I would be willing to fly to Umea, Sweden, and deliver a seminar. Rhetorical question for someone who loves to travel to new places, and had not yet had the opportunity … Continue reading →

Posted in Copenhagen, humor, Nobel, omaha, Research, Scandinavia, science, seminar, Sweden, travel, Umea | Comments Off on From Omaha to Umea: Adventures and misadventures