UNMC researcher Steve Caplan, Ph.D., answers questions about his work, life and interests.
NOTE: This profile is part of a series highlighting the 23 researchers who will be honored at a Tuesday ceremony for UNMC’s 2009 Scientist Laureate, Distinguished Scientist and New Investigator award recipients.
- Name: Steve Caplan, Ph.D.
- Title: Associate professor of biochemistry and molecular biology
- Joined UNMC: 2003
- Hometown: I was born in Cleveland where my father did a residency, grew up in Winnipeg, Canada, and lived for 20 years in Israel before coming to the U.S. for post-doctoral studies.
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Steve Caplan, Ph.D. |
The focus of our research is to enhance our basic understanding of the molecular mechanisms that regulate the movement of proteins from one location within cells to another.
How does your research contribute to science and/or health care?
Historically, basic science has always led to the most important and groundbreaking scientific discoveries (penicillin, for example), and I have no doubt that it will continue to do so in the future. It is easy to understand the needs of patients and the necessity for “translational studies” that lead to improved diagnostics and treatments for this generation of patients. However, one cannot emphasize the significance of investing “long-term” in basic biomedical science, which will lead to major findings that will stimulate diagnostics and treatments for future generations of patients.
Beyond grant funding, how do you measure success?
In essence, grant funding measures ‘potential for success’, and is certainly a necessity for any researcher to be able to achieve good science. However, grant funding is not always correlated with good science. Success in research should primarily be measured by important and novel scientific discovery. The ‘currency’ for scientific success is primarily through recognition of this discovery by publication in highly regarded peer reviewed journals. Additional measures of success are the ability to efficiently motivate, train and generate the next generation of scientific researchers, and make a positive impact on their careers.
List three things few people know about you.
- I took a year off and backpacked through South America after graduating, and returned to South America for a shorter visit with my wife while we were graduate students.
- I am an avid reader and enjoy playing chess.
- I served as an artillery commander in the Israeli Defense Forces.