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 roller coaster week…

Posted on 25 February 2012 by Steve Caplan

I am not usually one to walk around with a big grin on my face on Friday, glad to bid good-bye to the week at hand. No, I enjoy my work (most of the time), just as I enjoy the … Continue reading →

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Who says scientists aren’t creative?

Posted on 18 February 2012 by Steve Caplan

One of the things that people tends to think about scientists is that we are all machine-like robots who are technically advanced, but without an ounce (or gram) of creativeness. I’m planning in this brief blog to dispel this criticism … Continue reading →

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Interpreting Reference Letters–Lost in Translation?

Posted on 12 February 2012 by Steve Caplan

As a principal investigator, or PI, one of the tasks that I am consistently faced with is “interpretation.” How so? Well obviously, my job revolves around interpreting data and trying to understand if experiments done by my students and co-workers … Continue reading →

Posted in cultural differences, education, interpretation, recommendation letter, Research, science | Comments Off on Interpreting Reference Letters–Lost in Translation?

If these data were in a grant, it wouldn’t be funded

Posted on 3 February 2012 by Steve Caplan

Harping on my chronic lack of time this month due to a hectic schedule, I am going to post a quick laconic blog featuring a little something that I noticed in the freezer. I stay away from these frozen ice … Continue reading →

Posted in fat, grant funding, humor, ice cream, science | Comments Off on If these data were in a grant, it wouldn’t be funded

BLOG # 100: Professional lecturers–good or bad?

Posted on 21 January 2012 by Steve Caplan

I can’t believe this is my 100th blog! Thanks to everyone at OT for putting up with me! In today’s world of dwindling scientific funding across many parts of the globe, one issue that seems to be more frequently discussed … Continue reading →

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Adolescent games, now and then [2]

Posted on 18 January 2012 by Steve Caplan

Although I am on target in dealing with my pressure at work, I did want to post a short and silly/funny blog. I can’t help admiring how adolescents today have such a wide variety of electronic gadgets at their disposal–especially … Continue reading →

Posted in humor, side effects, Silliness, sticky paper, video | Comments Off on Adolescent games, now and then [2]

Dealing with pressure…and men

Posted on 10 January 2012 by Steve Caplan

Occam’s Typewriter has seemed like a home to me since I started this gig about a year ago.  Always controversial, always avant-garde, always energizing. And it still is. But lately I’ve found that my energies for putting a tolerable piece … Continue reading →

Posted in Dealing with Men, kindle, Literature, poetry, Pressure, reading, Research, science, stress | Comments Off on Dealing with pressure…and men

My best Ph.D. prank [19]

Posted on 2 January 2012 by Steve Caplan

Looking back at 2011, my first year as a blogger and my new affiliation with OT, I find that I have written 96 blogs. That’s probably 96 more than most of you would care to read, so I may try … Continue reading →

Posted in covers, humor, novels, Ph.D., pranks, Research, science, students, voice | Comments Off on My best Ph.D. prank [19]

Impressions from a Parallel Universe [13]

Posted on 29 December 2011 by Steve Caplan

Research and life have many things in common. In particular, it has always intrigued me that when following a line of research in the lab, we are constantly presented with branching points that make it imperative to make decisions about … Continue reading →

Posted in branching points, decisions, Israel, Research, science, vacation, visit | Comments Off on Impressions from a Parallel Universe [13]

The Plot Thickens [6]

Posted on 15 December 2011 by Steve Caplan

Well yes, it’s true. The plot for my upcoming work-in-progress (AKA-barely started) novel is thickening. No, you read that right, not “sickening,” but “thickening.” But as this all begins to take shape, I find myself coming back from an adrenalin … Continue reading →

Posted in author, drivel, education, exams Boston Literary Magazine, grading, interview, novel, science, Teaching, writer | Comments Off on The Plot Thickens [6]