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.

Decisions, decisions…

Posted on 16 September 2011 by Steve Caplan

Books have always been dear to me. As a child/young adult, I skipped directly to adult books and was known to read 7-8 different books in parallel (now 3-4 is my limit + audiobooks for the car, and the new … Continue reading →

Posted in "Matter Over Mind", agent, Anaphora Literary Press, author, Books, decisions, Lablit, literary fiction, Literature, novel, press, publish, publisher, publishing, Research, science, science in fiction, Welcome Home Sir, Writing | Comments Off on Decisions, decisions…

My guilt from the sidelines

Posted on 13 September 2011 by Steve Caplan

Like a moth drawn to the fire, I can’t stop myself. And I warn the reader that this blog doea not have anything directly to do with science, or life in science–although it does have to do with life. And … Continue reading →

Posted in Equality, religion, religious coercion, women | Comments Off on My guilt from the sidelines

Now I Can Retire: the measure of all things

Posted on 10 September 2011 by Steve Caplan

Generally speaking, scientists do not appear to be happy people. And by scientists, I refer to those actively doing research at academic institutions. No hard feelings for those who are not–I have no experience with industry, and my impression is … Continue reading →

Posted in education, Research, retire, science, success, what makes a good scientist, when will a scientist be happy | Comments Off on Now I Can Retire: the measure of all things

Science Education Then and Now

Posted on 4 September 2011 by Steve Caplan

I can still vividly remember being taught lab safety in 7th or 8th grade chemistry at school. The old way: being given a long list of rules, reading them and being tested on them. No eating, drinking, chewing gum etc. … Continue reading →

Posted in acid, acting, cameraman, chemistry, children, dancing, don't run baby or you'll make that teacher crazy, education, Film, Gaga ooh la la, humor, I want those safety skills, kids, lab, lady gaga, lessons, music video, parody, Rah rah ah ah ah ah, safety rules, safety skills, School, science, science at school, singing, teachers, video | Comments Off on Science Education Then and Now

One morning, the phone in the lab rings

Posted on 27 August 2011 by Steve Caplan

Revenge can be sweet. It doesn’t have to be for anything really bad, or serious. Sometimes it tastes just as good in answer to a bit of attitude, some haughtiness, someone getting too big for his/her britches. Or in this … Continue reading →

Posted in actor, big for britches, ciao, good-bye, great script, hasta la vista baby, humor, l'hitraot (Hebrew), lab prank, message to those who think they can step on me, pranks, Research, revenge, sayonara, science, Silliness, stunned silence | Comments Off on One morning, the phone in the lab rings

Separating science and religion

Posted on 25 August 2011 by Steve Caplan

When I was an undergraduate student in Jerusalem, I held a part-time job and worked full time in the summer one year as a bellboy and doorman at the Jerusalem Sheraton-Plaza Hotel. The multi-faceted experiences that I had could probably … Continue reading →

Posted in bellboy, elevator without music, fed up, Hebrew University, hotel, hyenas, Jewish, no tip, orthodox, Research, Sabbath, science, Science Funding, silliness that isn't funny, stairs, work | Comments Off on Separating science and religion

Advice on taking advice

Posted on 20 August 2011 by Steve Caplan

Last week I pontificated wrote about my views on the traits that are necessary for a scientist to survive and indeed thrive in today’s world. And while there seems to be agreement that “luck” “fate” and “opportunity” are certainly useful … Continue reading →

Posted in advice, critiques, education, faculty, fate, journals, learn, luck, mentor, mentors, opportunity, papers, PI, post-doc, post-docs, Research, reviews, science, student, students, success | Comments Off on Advice on taking advice

Resurgence and Resilience

Posted on 15 August 2011 by Steve Caplan

There’s nothing like nature on a fine weekend to revitalize oneself after a rough week in the trenches laboffice. This weekend, we began Friday evening with a trip to the Neale Woods observatory to view the night sky telescopically–in particular … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomy, education, hiking, Lake Zorinsky, luck, meteor, omaha, perseus, Research, researchers, resilience, science | Comments Off on Resurgence and Resilience

Frequent Flyers

Posted on 8 August 2011 by Steve Caplan

Somewhat upset by the expensive airline tickets I recently purchased, I decided to post on some of my favorite frequent flyers seen recently in our backyard. The House Finch–spoiled by the garden feeder   These black-capped chickadees have a very … Continue reading →

Posted in angry cardinal, back garden, birds, butterflyology, frequent flyers, ornithology, science, visitors | Comments Off on Frequent Flyers

Egocentric and Eccentric–scientists and politicians

Posted on 6 August 2011 by Steve Caplan

Scientists are well known for the eccentricity. Bill Bryson’s wonderful book “A Short History of Nearly Everything” gives some wonderful accounts of the scientists whose seminal findings these past 400 years are the basis of modern science. As one example, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bill Bryson, David Levy, great frigate, humor, jokes, Lord Cavendish, pufferfish, Research, science, scientists | Comments Off on Egocentric and Eccentric–scientists and politicians