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.

godless (yes, not goddess or goodness)

Posted on 5 May 2012 by Steve Caplan

This is a post that has worked its way in my head to the top of the pile. It’s initiation was triggered by a cluster of stimuli, including discussions with friends. However watching the American Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) program … Continue reading →

Posted in creationism, Darwin, Dover county school board, education, evolution, intelligent design, religion, religious coercion, science, Scopes Monkey Trials, tolerance | Comments Off on godless (yes, not goddess or goodness)

However…

Posted on 29 April 2012 by Steve Caplan

Have you ever had a manuscript was accepted unconditionally without any revisions? In speaking with many scientists, it turns out that this seems to be a once in a lifetime phenomenon. Indeed, it has happened to me but once. A … Continue reading →

Posted in critiques, editorial board, manuscripts, Nablus, papers, peer review, Research, reviews, science, science journals, supplemental data | Comments Off on However…

The Hunger Games: educational assessment

Posted on 22 April 2012 by Steve Caplan

It seems that these past few weeks have been insanely packed with travel, and some of it not particularly fun. As I await boarding of a flight to an editorial board meeting, I recall that a week ago I drove … Continue reading →

Posted in education, films, hedonism, movies, reality, The Hunger Games, violence, war | Comments Off on The Hunger Games: educational assessment

Relativity Theory

Posted on 12 April 2012 by Steve Caplan

How many times have we been told in the course of our lives “It’s all relative?” I hear that over and over. And I suppose that there’s a lot of truth in that statement. If we push aside considerations of … Continue reading →

Posted in grant, grant review, international, proposal, relative, relativity, Research, science | Comments Off on Relativity Theory

A Secular Passover

Posted on 9 April 2012 by Steve Caplan

First, my best wishes to anyone celebrating Easter, Passover or any other holiday. As a representative of one who celebrates the latter, in my own secular way, I thought I’d post a few words about it. After all, my knowledge … Continue reading →

Posted in civil war, Jews of the south, Judah Benjamin, matzah, Passover, religious, secular, slavery | Comments Off on A Secular Passover

Ph.D. Pranks and Comeuppance

Posted on 4 April 2012 by Steve Caplan

Seeing as April 1st has come and gone, I would like to dedicate this blog to one of my favorite Ph.D. pranks (I’ve reported on a few in this forum in the past)–AND to tell you about a little email … Continue reading →

Posted in April Fools, humor, lab, pipette, postdoc, pranks, Research, science, Silliness, soundrel offspring | Comments Off on Ph.D. Pranks and Comeuppance

Accountable Anonymity

Posted on 24 March 2012 by Steve Caplan

Being heavily involved these past few weeks in reviewing piles of grants, I have been thinking a lot about the power that anonymity can confer. And how it can, when there are no checks and balances (or in the case … Continue reading →

Posted in anonymity, bullying, cyber-bully, grant, review, science | Comments Off on Accountable Anonymity

Updates

Posted on 17 March 2012 by Steve Caplan

Update #1: I had my first book signing at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln book store, where 10 copies of my book were graciously ordered. I had a lot of fun and talked for a couple hours to some … Continue reading →

Posted in APPs, author, book-signing, calculations, humor, Research, science, solitaire, students, thinking | Comments Off on Updates

Which oath? Hippocratic, hippocritic or hypochondriac?

Posted on 10 March 2012 by Steve Caplan

This blog has been years in the making–possibly long before I had ever heard the term ‘blog.’ Spurred on by the recent series of blogs by Henry which have at least indirectly addressed the medical profession and the sensitive and … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, doctors, health, insurance, Israel, science, US | Comments Off on Which oath? Hippocratic, hippocritic or hypochondriac?

More on scientists and creativity- “Art and Soup”

Posted on 4 March 2012 by Steve Caplan

Time is flying by in a blur. I know this, because I have begun measuring time in blogs. Not “a few weeks ago,” but rather “a few blogs ago.” Yes, well a few blogs ago I brought up the issue … Continue reading →

Posted in art, art and soup, creativity, humor, paper mache, Research, science, scientists, sculpture, soup, visiting nurse association, VNA, whimsical | Comments Off on More on scientists and creativity- “Art and Soup”