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.

Put your money where your snack is!

Posted on 25 June 2011 by Steve Caplan

One of the nice things of living in Omaha is the variety of great summer camps available for kids. In the course of the last eight years here, our kids have been attending a huge number of really exciting and … Continue reading →

Posted in celebrity nutritionist, dietician, do-as-I-say-not-as-I-do, education, fitness, healthy snacks, junk food, nutrition, science, science camps | Comments Off on Put your money where your snack is!

Pet-Peeve Vigilante

Posted on 19 June 2011 by Steve Caplan

I have a feeling that this blog may not be particularly popular with animal lovers, but I have a “pet-peeve”. Now I have nothing against pets–in fact I had a dog for 13 years who even traveled with me from … Continue reading →

Posted in 12 angry men, canine society, dog-bite, dog-food, dogged determination, dogs, flight-or-fight, loose cannons, one-less-researcher, pepper spray, pets, pit bulls, self-defense, victim, vigilante, weapons | Comments Off on Pet-Peeve Vigilante

What’s in a name?

Posted on 17 June 2011 by Steve Caplan

What a great way to begin a blog–scooped before I’ve even started! I started with this great–and not so original idea, apparently–of having a little contest: everyone is invited to send in their all time favorite names of proteins. In … Continue reading →

Posted in cool, goofiness, homer simpson, humor, missed opportunity, Nonsense, protein names, ralph and earl in a big white buick on the way to europe, Research, rutabaga, science, Silliness | Comments Off on What’s in a name?

Out of context!

Posted on 15 June 2011 by Steve Caplan

It’s time for some self promotion coupled with the release of frustration. Back in December, at the Annual American Society for Cell Biology meeting in Philadelphia I met Jenny (Rohn) and suggested an idea for something that might be of … Continue reading →

Posted in angry e-mails, cartoon, chauvinism, cultures, disrespect, education, gender bias, how not to get a job in the lab, humor, job, position, Postdoctoral application, Research, science, woman holding her husband's tail | Comments Off on Out of context!

In need of a distraction-part two, the unconscious bias

Posted on 5 June 2011 by Steve Caplan

I have blogged recently about trying to distract myself from neck pain. One of the suggestions was that I drop a 7 pound hammer on my toe, but I declined to take this advice not just because it was given … Continue reading →

Posted in 7-pound hammer, advice from Henry, distraction, humor, lakes, Nebraska, neck pain, omaha, physical therapy, walking, walking trails | Comments Off on In need of a distraction-part two, the unconscious bias

“Rigged”- a complex educational experience

Posted on 1 June 2011 by Steve Caplan

A few years back when I was trying to teach my children how to play chess, I came across a really great teaching aid. It was called: “Fritz and Chesster“. I am reminded of this program now because when the … Continue reading →

Posted in children, content, delivery, education, Hebron, home town advantage, judges, locals, logical flow, Modern Woodmen of America, Nebraska, oration, Research, rigged, science, self-confidence, small town, sour grapes, speech contest | Comments Off on “Rigged”- a complex educational experience

In need of a distraction

Posted on 29 May 2011 by Steve Caplan

I am in desperate need of some light and cheery distraction (where’s Cath when I need her?!). For the second time in the past four months I am suffering from some kind of ergonomic misery that I seem to have … Continue reading →

Posted in allergies, cat, cat-lover, evolutionary throwback, humor, medication, pain, vengeful feline | Comments Off on In need of a distraction

Use it or lose it?

Posted on 24 May 2011 by Steve Caplan

Ever wonder what the effect of technology is on our developing brains? This is something that I’ve been thinking about for some time now. I recently put some of these thoughts into words in my blog entitled: “PhD survival: is … Continue reading →

Posted in brain development, critical reasoning, education, GPS, London cabbies, navigation, Research, science, skills, technology | Comments Off on Use it or lose it?

A shocking business

Posted on 19 May 2011 by Steve Caplan

Some recent repairs that we had done on our home, coupled with Henry’s recent post “Build” led me to recall an odd event that occurred in my home some years ago. We were new in the city of Omaha, and … Continue reading →

Posted in building, electrician, GFCI receptacle, humor, inconveniencing the passers-by with this one, none of your blood caked on the walls and flesh flying out of the windows, Research, shocking | Comments Off on A shocking business

Don’t underestimate the enemy

Posted on 11 May 2011 by Steve Caplan

Don’t mistake me–I am all for promoting the wonders of science and scientific research–you will be hard pressed to find a better advocate than me. And after all, there is a growing awareness among scientists that research should be translated … Continue reading →

Posted in advertising, cancer, dumb-down, flaunting, hubris, layman, public, Research, science, supporting science, the mother-of-all-maladies | Comments Off on Don’t underestimate the enemy