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.

Jumpin’ Ginger Therapy!

Posted on 6 September 2013 by Steve Caplan

Ever had a day where you almost wished you hadn’t got up in the morning? Where your computer crashes, your email doesn’t work, you get dumped with 100 different irrelevant bureaucratic busy-tasks, and you wonder why you didn’t become a … Continue reading →

Posted in athlete, dogs, dumps, humor, jump, lab, therapy, vizsla | Comments Off on Jumpin’ Ginger Therapy!

The Circle Game

Posted on 24 August 2013 by Steve Caplan

Over the last 6 weeks, 2 of my 6 graduate students have defended their dissertations and graduated–which brings me great joy in that they were each highly sought after and both will be heading to outstanding research labs of their … Continue reading →

Posted in education, graduation, Guest posts, mentor, PhD, Research, science, student | Comments Off on The Circle Game

AMERICA!

Posted on 17 August 2013 by Steve Caplan

America! It’s been a busy few weeks—or rather few months. Sister’s and families from Israel and Canada visiting, the adoption of Ginger (AKA Vi), two students who have defended their dissertations and graduated over the past 4 weeks, and a … Continue reading →

Posted in America, bank, dog, dogs, humor, summer, US, velcro, vizsla | Comments Off on AMERICA!

And I thought scientists were smart…

Posted on 7 August 2013 by Steve Caplan

I don’t get it. Really. I just don’t understand. Early this morning, when the first of the 90-odd emails bounced into my inbox, I looked again with disbelief. Yes.

Posted in dogs, labrador, love, OMICS, Research, scams, science, scientists, smart, vizsla, WTF | Comments Off on And I thought scientists were smart…

Lab meeting III–me and my shadow

Posted on 2 August 2013 by Steve Caplan

At the risk of going overboard on the subject of dogs, I find it necessary to post “Lab Meeting III”—because today is a historic occasion—the adoption of Ginger/AKA/Vi (Vizsla) from an animal shelter. Such a rare event that I did … Continue reading →

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Lab meeting–Part Two

Posted on 14 July 2013 by Steve Caplan

Our second unusual lab meeting took place in the Prius on our way home from Hearts United for Animals (HUA), close to Auburn, Nebraska, a small town about 60 miles south of Omaha. HUA is an animal shelter with a … Continue reading →

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Professor

Posted on 4 July 2013 by Steve Caplan

This 4th of July marks almost 10 years of my life in Omaha, Nebraska, and in addition to celebrating Independence Day, I am also personally celebrating my new title: Professor. Well, sort of. Because it’s not exactly a time for … Continue reading →

Posted in duke, earl, education, Professor, Research, science, sergeant, service, Teaching | Comments Off on Professor

Lab Meeting!

Posted on 1 July 2013 by Steve Caplan

I am not given to holding an excess of lab meetings, but by Ezekiel, this one was needed. And no waiting around for a reasonable time, like 10 a.m. No, no, that wouldn’t do. So I called a lab meeting … Continue reading →

Posted in canine, dawg, dog, humor, K9, Lab meeting, Labrador Retriever, Research, science | Comments Off on Lab Meeting!

Perennial publicity hound

Posted on 21 June 2013 by Steve Caplan

Well here it is. I have finally managed the ultimate in publicity stunts: wangling an interview/feature story with the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB). Beware of TMI–for those of you who are not so savvy with the … Continue reading →

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Peggy Wheelock-the ultimate in research and mentorship

Posted on 15 June 2013 by Steve Caplan

This blog has been long in the making. Long, because until recently, I’m not sure I would have been able to type out these words without flooding my keyboard with tears. But the time has come for me to write … Continue reading →

Posted in education, leadership, mentorship, Nebraska Center for Cellular Signaling, Peggy Wheelock, Research, science | Comments Off on Peggy Wheelock-the ultimate in research and mentorship