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.

No escape from the geeky scientist phenotype–or is that stereotype?

Posted on 19 January 2017 by Steve Caplan

Professor John Nerdelbaum Frink, Jr., scientist from “The Simpsons.” A familiar stereotype.

Posted in doddering fools, exxon, Geek, humor, intoverts, nerd, phenotype, Research, science, scientist, spotify, stereotype, the simpsons | Comments Off on No escape from the geeky scientist phenotype–or is that stereotype?

The Autopsy, and what next?

Posted on 26 December 2016 by Steve Caplan

I began this blog on Nov. 13, less than a week after the elections. It was too painful for me to continue. Not that there are many bright spots on the horizon that have appeared over the last 6 weeks, … Continue reading →

Posted in Democrat, environment, Hilary, polls, Republican, science, transition team, Trump, US election | Comments Off on The Autopsy, and what next?

Final Comments before (Armageddon?) Nov. 8, 2016

Posted on 6 November 2016 by Steve Caplan

My early vote cast weeks ago; couldn’t rest until the ballot was submitted… On Tuesday Nov. 8, the United States will have one of its most crucial elections in the history of the nation. Yes, I realize that many will … Continue reading →

Posted in 538, Clinton, Democrat, election, mendacious, misogyny, nate silver, NYT, Obama, Politics, prediction, president, princeton election consortium, pundits, racism, Republican, sam wang, science, statistician, statistics, Trump, Upshot, US | Comments Off on Final Comments before (Armageddon?) Nov. 8, 2016

The Ultimate Conspiracy–the importance of being Donald

Posted on 9 October 2016 by Steve Caplan

Children–and adults–often believe that when they root or hope for a team or for an event to occur, that their wishes can influence the outcome. This irrational behavior probably underlies the fervent cheering for sports teams. And candidates in political … Continue reading →

Posted in birther, conspiracy, income tax, liar, misogynist, racism, rigged, sex lies and videotape, sexual harassment, temperament, Trump, twitter rampage, US elections | Comments Off on The Ultimate Conspiracy–the importance of being Donald

Sanexit would make Brexit look like child’s play

Posted on 4 September 2016 by Steve Caplan

For months I have been avoiding a critical civic duty, and have abstained from writing about the political situation in the US. Not from a lack of conviction or interest in the situation. No, I find myself obsessed with the … Continue reading →

Posted in Brexit, Clinton, conspiracy, Democrats, insults, president, presidential elections, Republicans, Sanexit, Trump, tweet, US elections | Comments Off on Sanexit would make Brexit look like child’s play

Flowers for Algae-non?

Posted on 13 August 2016 by Steve Caplan

I am delighted to report that I am now happily entrenched in my new environment–just 2 miles west of my previous home–here at the western edge of the city of Omaha. “Chez Ginger,” as we have named our new place … Continue reading →

Posted in algae, algal bloom, lake, omaha, science, wildlife | Comments Off on Flowers for Algae-non?

Paid overtime for post-docs? Implications!

Posted on 13 July 2016 by Steve Caplan

A new rule issued by the US Department of Labor, scheduled to go into effect on Dec. 1, 2016, is likely to have a major impact on the structure of the biomedical research enterprise in this country. This rule, which … Continue reading →

Posted in biomedical research, funding, grant, lab, labor, NIH, overtime, post-doc, post-doctoral fellow, postdoctoral fellow, principal investigator, Research, salary, science, stipend, wages | Comments Off on Paid overtime for post-docs? Implications!

We’re #1 with “Saving One!”

Posted on 18 June 2016 by Steve Caplan

It’s been a crazy 30 days since I submitted my LabLit novel, “Saving One,” to Amazon Kindle’s new publishing program, Kindle Scout. I would like to Saving One is #1 in HOT & TRENDING!

Posted in Amazon, Ethics, Hot and Trending, kidney, kindle, Kindle Scout, lab lit, Lablit, medical ethics, medical thriller, polycystic kidney disease, Research, science, suspense, twins | Comments Off on We’re #1 with “Saving One!”

Common sense policies to promote reproducibility in science

Posted on 12 June 2016 by Steve Caplan

The ability of scientists to reproduce published experimental data from other laboratories is the foundation for all scientific advance. Indeed, the whole point of publishing is to educate other scientists (and the public in general) and to build a scaffold … Continue reading →

Posted in ASBMB, ASCB, biomedical research, data, experimental design, Journal of Biological Chemistry, materials, methods, Molecular Biology of then Cell, National Institutes of Health, papers, post publication review, pretend peer review, reproducibility, Research, Scam, science, scientific publishing | Comments Off on Common sense policies to promote reproducibility in science

The Wandering Jew

Posted on 5 June 2016 by Steve Caplan

New view from our back deck. The path around the lake is precisely 1 mile. Condemned to eternally wander from place to place? I guess that could describe my life.

Posted in home, omaha, science, Wandering Jew | Comments Off on The Wandering Jew