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.

Semantics

Posted on 21 July 2012 by Steve Caplan

On my way to pick up some sushi and maki rolls from a nearby restaurant, I encountered this intriguing sign: So, as a scientist, I first thought “Why 21 pounds?” Why not 12, or 15, or 17 and 3/4? But … Continue reading →

Posted in fast, humor, pounds, silly, weight | Comments Off on Semantics

Chair

Posted on 7 July 2012 by Steve Caplan

Over the past week I have assumed position as “chair” of my departmental graduate and admissions committee a task that I am excited to carry out, but simultaneouly dreading. Given that our department has the largest number of graduate students … Continue reading →

Posted in chair, education, graduate committee, life imitates fiction, professors, Research, responsibility, science, students | Comments Off on Chair

A real education in astrobiology

Posted on 30 June 2012 by Steve Caplan

Another summer. More exciting and educational science camps! This year my 10 year old son is again partaking in the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s “Aim for the Stars” series of summer camps, with exciting weekly topics ranging from robotics, … Continue reading →

Posted in camp, education, hands on, navigation, planetarium, rotting chicken, science, Science Education, sky, stars | Comments Off on A real education in astrobiology

Conference

Posted on 21 June 2012 by Steve Caplan

I doubt that anyone has missed me over the past couple weeks, but I have been busy at a scientific conference, with another on the dock for next week. So I shall be brief, and leave you with a photo … Continue reading →

Posted in humor, live free or drown, New Hampshire, optional, science, science meeting | Comments Off on Conference

Imaginings

Posted on 6 June 2012 by Steve Caplan

What happens to someone who is “swallowed up” by work commitments? You start to imagine–or think you do… The departmental hallway, recently

Posted in humor, Research, science, Silliness | Comments Off on Imaginings

Lonely One

Posted on 2 June 2012 by Steve Caplan

It’s been quite a week for me; an assortment of 6 different grant proposals having been submitted from my lab–most of them co-investigator proposals requiring a good deal of interdisciplinary coordination. In fact, the last few days I felt very … Continue reading →

Posted in career, chess, education, janis ian, loneliness, lonely one, PI, postdoc, principal investigator, Research, science, student | Comments Off on Lonely One

We don’t need no education–at least not like this…

Posted on 26 May 2012 by Steve Caplan

Anti-semitism is on the rise in Europe. Strictly speaking, this may not be true, as Jews have traditionally had a difficult time in the “old world,” to say the least. Why? Good question!

Posted in anti-semitism, bias, education, Europe, prejudice, religion, UK | Comments Off on We don’t need no education–at least not like this…

The most important biomedical-science technology advance–do we have a consensus?

Posted on 21 May 2012 by Steve Caplan

I’ve blogged in the past about the changing nature of the life-sciences, and about how today’s graduate students need to be “jacks of all trades.” As I’ve noted, in the past, graduate students were required to use fewer experimental systems, … Continue reading →

Posted in advances, graduate students, progress, Research, science, techniques, technology | Comments Off on The most important biomedical-science technology advance–do we have a consensus?

Thinking about science–what do I look for in a graduate student?

Posted on 15 May 2012 by Steve Caplan

One of the questions that I was asked recently is “What do you look for in a graduate student?” Just as an aside, that vaguely reminds me of a film I saw some time ago where one character asks another … Continue reading →

Posted in 24/7, determination, engaged in science, graduate student, Research, science, success, workaholic | Comments Off on Thinking about science–what do I look for in a graduate student?

Art and Science–take 2

Posted on 13 May 2012 by Steve Caplan

Last evening I had a wonderfully unique opportunity to sample a complex mixture of art, science and creativity at the elegant Orpheum Theatre in Omaha (circa 1927)–in the form of modern dance! If you can spare just a few moments … Continue reading →

Posted in art, author, Books, creativity, in the news, Momix Botanica, Occam's Typewriter, Orpheum Theatre Omaha, science | Comments Off on Art and Science–take 2