Category Archives: lab

Does it pass the smell-test? Review of “The DNA of you and me”

Posted on 18 January 2020 by Steve Caplan

Moving into 2020, I realize that this is now my 10th year of blogging, a sport that I never really signed up for. In 2010, my daughter was 13 years old; now she is preparing for a series of interviews … Continue reading →

Posted in Andrea Rothman, author, fiction, lab, Lablit, novel, olfatory, postdoc, Research, reviews, science, sense of smell, smell test, student, The DNA of you and me | Comments Off on Does it pass the smell-test? Review of “The DNA of you and me”

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!

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

A breath of fresh (scientific) air

Posted on 30 June 2014 by Steve Caplan

As I sat yesterday in a student career development workshop, and listened to the fears and anxieties surrounding the prospects of a career in academia – or in any scientific field, for that matter – I felt a million miles … Continue reading →

Posted in Andover, basic science, career development, Gordon Research Conference, GRC, lab, New Hampshire, postdocs, Proctor, professors, Research, science, students | Comments Off on A breath of fresh (scientific) air

Jumpin’ Ginger Therapy!

Posted on 6 September 2013 by Steve Caplan

Ever had a day where you almost wished you hadn’t got up in the morning? Where your computer crashes, your email doesn’t work, you get dumped with 100 different irrelevant bureaucratic busy-tasks, and you wonder why you didn’t become a … Continue reading →

Posted in athlete, dogs, dumps, humor, jump, lab, therapy, vizsla | Comments Off on Jumpin’ Ginger Therapy!

Lab meeting III–me and my shadow

Posted on 2 August 2013 by Steve Caplan

At the risk of going overboard on the subject of dogs, I find it necessary to post “Lab Meeting III”—because today is a historic occasion—the adoption of Ginger/AKA/Vi (Vizsla) from an animal shelter. Such a rare event that I did … Continue reading →

Posted in adopt, animal shelter, dog-gone, imprint, lab, lick, needy, vizsla | Comments Off on Lab meeting III–me and my shadow

Ph.D. Pranks and Comeuppance

Posted on 4 April 2012 by Steve Caplan

Seeing as April 1st has come and gone, I would like to dedicate this blog to one of my favorite Ph.D. pranks (I’ve reported on a few in this forum in the past)–AND to tell you about a little email … Continue reading →

Posted in April Fools, humor, lab, pipette, postdoc, pranks, Research, science, Silliness, soundrel offspring | Comments Off on Ph.D. Pranks and Comeuppance

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