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.

Reading honeymoon

Posted on 6 November 2011 by Steve Caplan

Having recently reported that my second and new lablit novel, “Welcome Home, Sir” will be coming out in the near future, and now in the process of deciding between two disparate options for the plot and characters of novel #3, … Continue reading →

Posted in achondroplastic dwarf, Appalachian Trail, Bill Bryson, Books, fiction, hilarity, humor, Lablit, laughter, non-fiction, our one-and-only Henry Gee, reading, Research, science, Simon Mawer | Comments Off on Reading honeymoon

Stem cells to the rescue

Posted on 29 October 2011 by Steve Caplan

A short time ago, I found myself in a conversation with someone who began to ask about my work in the lab. Unlike many scientists that I know, who feel uncomfortable and even unable to explain what they do on … Continue reading →

Posted in bored-meetings, embryonic stem cells, faculty, Politics, religion, Research, save me, science, senate, stem cells, university | Comments Off on Stem cells to the rescue

Peer review and the “ole boys network”

Posted on 23 October 2011 by Steve Caplan

A lot has been said about peer review, recently by Frank here, here and here, by Richard here, here and here, by Sylvia and by others. So what more can I add? Like democracy, it’s not ideal, but compared the … Continue reading →

Posted in direct contribution, National Academy of Sciences, ole boys network, peer review, PNAS, pre-arranged editor, Research, science, Soviet era style | Comments Off on Peer review and the “ole boys network”

Dangling conversations

Posted on 21 October 2011 by Steve Caplan

“So, is this your first time in Omaha?” I recently blogged about feeling isolated as a scientist in my field here in the windy plains of Nebraska. One way to try and mitigate this feeling is to invite guest speakers … Continue reading →

Posted in airport, alcohol, dinner, humor, Is this your first time in Omaha?, Research, restaurant, science, seminar, separate bill, speaker, sushi | Comments Off on Dangling conversations

Annibookery

Posted on 16 October 2011 by Steve Caplan

This date one year ago marks the launch of my first novel “Matter Over Mind.” As I’ve been ‘scooped’ twice on this topic by Dr. Gee’s EXCERPT and then followed by his Uploads, Downloads, I will make this pathetic attempt … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, author, bipolar disorder, humor, lab, Lablit, laboratory, novel, PI, post-doc, principal investigaotr, pure cynicism, realistic scientist characters portrayed, Research, science, science in fiction, student | Comments Off on Annibookery

Losing it–a non-chemical dependency

Posted on 14 October 2011 by Steve Caplan

“My name is Steve Caplan and I have a problem…” Isn’t that what they say at alcoholics anonymous? Well, that’s what I’m told they say–you’ll have to take my word for it. Almost 3 weeks ago my office computer gurgled, … Continue reading →

Posted in computer-hostage, curses, dependency, goddamn thing, HELP, helpless, IT guru, lost in space, my name is ...and I have a problem, Research, science | Comments Off on Losing it–a non-chemical dependency

Science in isolation

Posted on 9 October 2011 by Steve Caplan

A recent invitation and very pleasant visit at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (UOHSC) served as a stark reminder of the degree of isolation that I have been facing on a daily basis since moving to the University … Continue reading →

Posted in faculty, isolation, lonesome george, microscope, Nebraska, omaha, Research, science, technician, This is for all the lonely people... | Comments Off on Science in isolation

A happy and healthy new year…

Posted on 29 September 2011 by Steve Caplan

Being the Jewish New year (5772 since the world was created, of course), although I am totally secular, I find myself taking a couple days off my “Denisovich” lifestyle to visit with family. It seems that one of the main … Continue reading →

Posted in colonoscopy, health, journalism, Medicine, obesity, physicians, Research, science, screening, tests | Comments Off on A happy and healthy new year…

Announcing: the first documented Occam’s Typewriter scientific collaboration

Posted on 27 September 2011 by Steve Caplan

I am very pleased to announce–after many months of work, revisions, and re-revisions–(to the best of my knowledge) the first scientific collaboration born out of Occam’s Typewriter. After all, in addition to all the peripheral fun of being a scientist … Continue reading →

Posted in collaboration, journal, peer review, publication, Research, revisions, science | Comments Off on Announcing: the first documented Occam’s Typewriter scientific collaboration

One day in the life of Ivan Denisovich–no, no, in my life

Posted on 24 September 2011 by Steve Caplan

For the record, I had actually planned this blog for some time, but for one reason or another, never got around to writing and posting it. With the furor over scientists’ approach to work in the lab still fresh from … Continue reading →

Posted in fellowship, grant, group leader, PI, post-doc, principal investigator, Research, science, scientist, student, training | Comments Off on One day in the life of Ivan Denisovich–no, no, in my life