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.

“Saving One” — my new lab lit novel

Posted on 21 May 2016 by Steve Caplan

Over the past two years, I have been avidly writing and editing my new lab lit novel, Saving One. This is the story of a widowed biomedical researcher at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, who has a … Continue reading →

Posted in biomedical research, book, Books, characters, fiction, kidney transplant, Kindle Scout, lab lit, laboratory, medical thriller, National Institutes of Health, NIH, nomination, polycystic kidney disease, Research, researcher, Saving One, science, Writing | Comments Off on “Saving One” — my new lab lit novel

How much is my sanity worth?

Posted on 11 May 2016 by Steve Caplan

I think that many scientists today would likely agree that writing grants (and worrying about funding) can drive a person to insanity. A question that I’ve never really pondered until recently is “Would I trade my sanity for a grant?” … Continue reading →

Posted in funding, grant, proposal, relief, Research, sanity, science | Comments Off on How much is my sanity worth?

How to deal with delicate situations in the lab

Posted on 23 April 2016 by Steve Caplan

Welcoming diversity in the workplace has become second nature in the US, and I would venture to guess that the biomedical workplace has been paving the way for years. The reliance on international scientific talent in the US has truly … Continue reading →

Posted in culture, diversity, ethnic, graduate student, lab, laboratory, Music, nationality, personal hygiene, PhD, postdoc, postdoctoral fellow, Research, science, smoking, student, tolerance | Comments Off on How to deal with delicate situations in the lab

Pending

Posted on 27 March 2016 by Steve Caplan

First, I must say that I feel more than a tinge of guilt at my lack of ‘productivity’ on the OT site in recent months. I would like to maintain that it’s my hectic schedule, science, grants, teaching, papers, reviewing–and … Continue reading →

Posted in damage, flood, grants, lab, pending, Research, science | Comments Off on Pending

Fire and ice (water) — parallels to inflammation

Posted on 20 February 2016 by Steve Caplan

The hallway in front of my lab space filled with fans for drying the moisture. Things have been a little hectic around here recently. And to make things even more challenging, there was a fire on the floor above me … Continue reading →

Posted in equipment, fire, lab, labs, omaha, Research, science, sprinkler, water damage | Comments Off on Fire and ice (water) — parallels to inflammation

Got no time for the blogger-blagger!

Posted on 7 February 2016 by Steve Caplan

One of the toughest things about modern science is its all-consuming nature–it literally sucks up one’s time. And while I am unable to sit down and write a serious blog, I thought this photo nicely illustrates how scientists struggle-to-juggle their … Continue reading →

Posted in management, multi-task, Research, science, stress, time | Comments Off on Got no time for the blogger-blagger!

Hey, I didn’t even get the grant!

Posted on 15 January 2016 by Steve Caplan

Scientists today spend a considerable chunk of their time writing: grants, protocols, manuscripts, reviews, grant reviews, etc. One of the bureaucratic requirements that most of us are familiar with is the “progress report.” Every year — or even after every … Continue reading →

Posted in awardee, bureaucracy, foundation, funding, grant, humor, No, progress report, Research, science, scientist, Writing | Comments Off on Hey, I didn’t even get the grant!

Libraries, technology and e-books–go with the flow…

Posted on 20 December 2015 by Steve Caplan

Libraries are becoming virtual, and there are some distinct advantages… Technology is changing the world, and libraries are picking up on the changes. As a long-time library patron, it has not been uncommon for me to head out to the … Continue reading →

Posted in "Matter Over Mind", A Degree of Betrayal, authors, Books, ebooks, libraries, library, omaha, paper, reading, Research, royalties, royalty, science, Welcome Home Sir | Comments Off on Libraries, technology and e-books–go with the flow…

Beertown: anatomy of an American town

Posted on 25 October 2015 by Steve Caplan

Omaha may not be known as a Mecca of the arts, but for a mid-sized Midwestern US city, there is no shortage of good theater. No, it’s not Broadway – although we do get the occasional traveling Broadway show that … Continue reading →

Posted in actor, actors, arts, Beertown, democracy, omaha, Omaha Community Playhouse, playwright, Shelterbelt Theatre, The Motherhood Almanac | Comments Off on Beertown: anatomy of an American town

Gut feeling: colonoscopies are a marvel of modern medicine

Posted on 18 October 2015 by Steve Caplan

About 10 years ago, suffering from some stomach troubles, my family doctor recommended that I do a colonoscopy. I was barely 40 years old, and just the thought Not even ‘pixelated’ — my ‘gut feeling’ is that these images showing … Continue reading →

Posted in Colon, colonoscopy, doctor, gastroenterology, hypochondriac, laxative, Nu-Lytely, polyethyleneglycol, science | Comments Off on Gut feeling: colonoscopies are a marvel of modern medicine