About

Alison DeLong is an Associate Professor of Biology at Brown University, specializing in plant molecular biology and biochemistry. Her research focuses on understanding the functions of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), an enzyme that plays a crucial role in phosphorylation circuits governing plant growth, morphogenesis, and cell fate. Her laboratory employs molecular and genetic approaches to investigate the mechanisms controlling plant development, with particular emphasis on signaling pathways involving reversible protein phosphorylation. DeLong's work has contributed to defining the regulatory roles of PP2A in processes such as polar auxin transport, embryogenesis, and reproductive development in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Her current research aims to elucidate phosphorylation-mediated switches that regulate ethylene synthesis, a conserved signaling molecule involved in stress responses and developmental transitions in land plants. Additionally, her team uses functional genomics and genome engineering to identify new PP2A mutants and explore further signal transduction and growth control roles of PP2A. DeLong's background includes a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics from Harvard University and extensive postdoctoral training at Yale University, where she studied molecular biophysics and biochemistry. Her work is recognized for reconstructing the evolutionary history of PP2A gene families and understanding how gene family expansion relates to specialized functions in plant signaling.

Research topics

• Internal medicine
• Medicine
• Anesthesia
• Endocrinology
• Veterinary medicine
• Pathology
• Family medicine
• Virology
• Physical therapy
• Nursing
• Economic growth

Selected publications

• The ethics of research involving biobanking specimens from Kenyan children and adolescents living with HIV: discrepancies between individual perceptions and policy considerations

  BMC Medical Ethics · 2026-02-26

  articleOpen access

  Biobanking is common in research involving young people living with HIV (YPLHIV). The ethics and policies guiding this practice require careful consideration, especially given the population’s multiple vulnerabilities, like age, HIV status, and limited resources. We examined how well the perspectives of YPLHIV and other stakeholders are reflected in current policies in sub-Saharan Africa, aiming to inform more ethically grounded policy development for specimen biobanking. We conducted a review of biobanking-related policy documents from sub-Saharan Africa, primarily from the East African region, and compared them to qualitative findings from interviews with YPLHIV in western Kenya, their caregivers, and subject matter experts (SMEs) regarding perspectives on biobanking. We synthesized the policy and interview data to identify key similarities, differences, and gaps. Themes were organized into three main categories related to biospecimens: (1) collection and analysis, (2) storage and identification, and (3) testing and sharing. Interviews were conducted with 99 participants – 40 YPLHIV, 20 caregivers, and 39 SMEs (community leaders, healthcare providers, clinical researchers, social scientists, international research experts, and laboratory experts). Participants across all groups stressed the importance of informed consent, results dissemination, confidentiality, transparency, and secure storage. Additional themes included concerns about long-term storage, unauthorized use, sharing with ill-intentioned individuals, requests for participant benefits, expressions of trust in researchers, and disagreement over using identifiers in biospecimen labeling. Interview themes were reflected to varying degrees in policy documents. Our policy search revealed articles from 12 countries, published between 2004 and 2023. All countries addressed consent and confidentiality (n = 12) and most covered results dissemination (n = 11) and biospecimen sharing (n = 9); fewer addressed participant benefits (n = 4), labeling (n = 4), and direct guidance on use, location, and duration of storage (n = 4). Some gaps between stakeholder views and existing policies were evident. Perceptions of research involving biobanking among African YPLHIV were mixed, revealing inconsistencies in participants’ responses, and highlighting gaps between these perceptions and existing policies, which were often limited, outdated, and incomprehensive. Findings highlight the need for clear, timely and inclusive policy updates that reflect stakeholder input, particularly as research involving this vulnerable population continues.

  PublisherDOI

• Additional file 1 of The ethics of research involving biobanking specimens from Kenyan children and adolescents living with HIV: discrepancies between individual perceptions and policy considerations

  Figshare · 2026-02-26

  articleOpen access

  Supplementary Material 1. Table S1: African policy topics related to major interview themes.

  PublisherDOI

• The role of trust and relationship building in the ethical recruitment of youth living with HIV in research: perspectives from Kenyan youth living with HIV, their caregivers and subject matter experts

  BMC Medical Ethics · 2026-03-02

  articleOpen access

  Inclusion of youth (10–24 years) living with HIV (YLWH) in clinical research is critical to addressing their unique vulnerabilities and improving care outcomes. Examining the role of trust and relationship building in research decision-making is critical to designing ethical recruitment and engagement strategies. We conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with YLWH (10–24 years, enrolled in HIV care at Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH) in western Kenya), caregivers (parents and guardians) of YLWH, and other subject matter experts (SMEs). Interviews focused on barriers, facilitators, and strategies to improve participant-researcher trust and relationship building, with a particular focus on recruitment and engagement strategies. Interviews were conducted with 99 participants (53% male): 40 YLWH [median age 17.5, (range 11–24), 50% female], 20 caregivers of enrolled YLWH (70% female), and 39 SMEs (33% female; 46% community leaders, 26% healthcare providers, 15% clinical researchers, 8% social scientists, 3% international research experts, 2% laboratory experts). All groups indicated trust could be built and broken through research processes. YLWH and SMEs viewed participant identification and study recruitment through medical records as a violation of trust, indicating that their HIV status and health information should remain confidential between themselves and their clinical team. All groups preferred recruitment through existing clinician-YLWH relationships, emphasizing the importance of privacy and confidentially; this strategy was viewed as stronger and more ethical. Losses of confidentiality and mistakes in sample collection that require participants to attend additional, unnecessary research visits or provide additional samples were identified by all groups as additional barriers to relationship-building. YLWH and caregivers discussed researcher characteristics that support relationship-building, emphasizing the importance of positive demeanors and non-stigmatizing behaviors by research personnel. YLWH and SMEs discussed operational needs that foster relationship-building, including proper communication about study procedures, reliably reporting results to participants, and receiving future benefits. Trusting participant-researcher relationships plays an important role in YLWH research decision making and greatly influence the development of ethical recruitment strategies. Study participants highlighted more appropriate and ethical recruitment strategies, stemming from strong participant-researcher relationships.

  PublisherDOI

• Additional file 1 of The ethics of research involving biobanking specimens from Kenyan children and adolescents living with HIV: discrepancies between individual perceptions and policy considerations

  Figshare · 2026-02-26

  articleOpen access

  Supplementary Material 1. Table S1: African policy topics related to major interview themes.

  PublisherDOI

• The ethics of research involving biobanking specimens from Kenyan children and adolescents living with HIV: discrepancies between individual perceptions and policy considerations

  Figshare · 2026-02-26

  otherOpen access

  Abstract Introduction Biobanking is common in research involving young people living with HIV (YPLHIV). The ethics and policies guiding this practice require careful consideration, especially given the population’s multiple vulnerabilities, like age, HIV status, and limited resources. We examined how well the perspectives of YPLHIV and other stakeholders are reflected in current policies in sub-Saharan Africa, aiming to inform more ethically grounded policy development for specimen biobanking. Methods We conducted a review of biobanking-related policy documents from sub-Saharan Africa, primarily from the East African region, and compared them to qualitative findings from interviews with YPLHIV in western Kenya, their caregivers, and subject matter experts (SMEs) regarding perspectives on biobanking. We synthesized the policy and interview data to identify key similarities, differences, and gaps. Themes were organized into three main categories related to biospecimens: (1) collection and analysis, (2) storage and identification, and (3) testing and sharing. Results Interviews were conducted with 99 participants – 40 YPLHIV, 20 caregivers, and 39 SMEs (community leaders, healthcare providers, clinical researchers, social scientists, international research experts, and laboratory experts). Participants across all groups stressed the importance of informed consent, results dissemination, confidentiality, transparency, and secure storage. Additional themes included concerns about long-term storage, unauthorized use, sharing with ill-intentioned individuals, requests for participant benefits, expressions of trust in researchers, and disagreement over using identifiers in biospecimen labeling. Interview themes were reflected to varying degrees in policy documents. Our policy search revealed articles from 12 countries, published between 2004 and 2023. All countries addressed consent and confidentiality (n = 12) and most covered results dissemination (n = 11) and biospecimen sharing (n = 9); fewer addressed participant benefits (n = 4), labeling (n = 4), and direct guidance on use, location, and duration of storage (n = 4). Some gaps between stakeholder views and existing policies were evident. Conclusion Perceptions of research involving biobanking among African YPLHIV were mixed, revealing inconsistencies in participants’ responses, and highlighting gaps between these perceptions and existing policies, which were often limited, outdated, and incomprehensive. Findings highlight the need for clear, timely and inclusive policy updates that reflect stakeholder input, particularly as research involving this vulnerable population continues.

  PublisherDOI

• The ethics of research involving biobanking specimens from Kenyan children and adolescents living with HIV: discrepancies between individual perceptions and policy considerations

  Figshare · 2026-02-26

  otherOpen access

  Abstract Introduction Biobanking is common in research involving young people living with HIV (YPLHIV). The ethics and policies guiding this practice require careful consideration, especially given the population’s multiple vulnerabilities, like age, HIV status, and limited resources. We examined how well the perspectives of YPLHIV and other stakeholders are reflected in current policies in sub-Saharan Africa, aiming to inform more ethically grounded policy development for specimen biobanking. Methods We conducted a review of biobanking-related policy documents from sub-Saharan Africa, primarily from the East African region, and compared them to qualitative findings from interviews with YPLHIV in western Kenya, their caregivers, and subject matter experts (SMEs) regarding perspectives on biobanking. We synthesized the policy and interview data to identify key similarities, differences, and gaps. Themes were organized into three main categories related to biospecimens: (1) collection and analysis, (2) storage and identification, and (3) testing and sharing. Results Interviews were conducted with 99 participants – 40 YPLHIV, 20 caregivers, and 39 SMEs (community leaders, healthcare providers, clinical researchers, social scientists, international research experts, and laboratory experts). Participants across all groups stressed the importance of informed consent, results dissemination, confidentiality, transparency, and secure storage. Additional themes included concerns about long-term storage, unauthorized use, sharing with ill-intentioned individuals, requests for participant benefits, expressions of trust in researchers, and disagreement over using identifiers in biospecimen labeling. Interview themes were reflected to varying degrees in policy documents. Our policy search revealed articles from 12 countries, published between 2004 and 2023. All countries addressed consent and confidentiality (n = 12) and most covered results dissemination (n = 11) and biospecimen sharing (n = 9); fewer addressed participant benefits (n = 4), labeling (n = 4), and direct guidance on use, location, and duration of storage (n = 4). Some gaps between stakeholder views and existing policies were evident. Conclusion Perceptions of research involving biobanking among African YPLHIV were mixed, revealing inconsistencies in participants’ responses, and highlighting gaps between these perceptions and existing policies, which were often limited, outdated, and incomprehensive. Findings highlight the need for clear, timely and inclusive policy updates that reflect stakeholder input, particularly as research involving this vulnerable population continues.

  PublisherDOI

• Longitudinal challenges faced by perinatally-infected young people living with HIV in Kenya during the COVID-19 pandemic

  AIDS · 2026-04-07

  article

  BACKGROUND: Understanding challenges experienced by adolescents and youth living with HIV (AYLWH) during COVID-19 can inform care during health crises. METHODS: From 2021-2023, bi-monthly in-person/phone surveys were administered to assess trends in psychological, physical, and socioeconomic challenges, and antiretroviral nonadherence, among Kenyan AYLWH, alongside COVID-19 burden (casesloads and Oxford-Stringency-Index (OSI)). Biannual viral loads (VLs) were described as virologic suppression (VL < =40copies/mL), virologic failure (VL>40copies/mL), and treatment failure (VL>1,000copies/mL). Associations among caseloads/OSI, challenges, nonadherence, and treatment failure transitions (VL < =1,000 to >1,000copies/mL and vice versa) were evaluated using regression models, accounting for repeated-measures, age, gender, clinic, and between-visit days. RESULTS: Among 441 participants (mean age 16.9 years, 49% female, mean time on ART 11.9 years), 89% reported at enrollment challenges (48% psychological, 66% physical, 61% socioeconomic). Within-subject challenges, COVID-19 caseloads, and OSI scores varied over time alongside pandemic changes. During stringent periods and surges, physical challenges worsened (OR = 1.04 per 100-cases increase/day, CI = 1.00-1.08); psychological challenges were stable (OR = 1.02, CI = 0.98-1.06); socioeconomic challenges worsened during caseloads upticks (OR = 2.08, CI = 1.14-3.81). Higher challenges burden at enrollment was associated with slower reduction in challenges over time. Nonadherence (74% at enrollment) was associated with higher prior-visit challenges (Psychological: OR = 1.37, CI = 1.24-1.51; Physical: OR = 1.43, CI = 1.22-1.69; Socioeconomic: OR = 1.27, CI = 1.11-1.46). Virologic and treatment failure occurred in 19% and 10%; suppression-to-failure transition was associated with worsening adherence (OR = 1.26, CI = 1.00-1.58). CONCLUSIONS: Kenyan AYLWH experienced substantial wellness challenges during COVID-19, possibly prompting poor adherence and viral outcomes. While stability of non-physical challenges suggests COVID-19 adaptation, targeted interventions are warranted to support this vulnerable population during public health crises.

  PublisherDOI

• Metformin and Time to Sustained Recovery in Adults With COVID-19

  JAMA Internal Medicine · 2025-07-14 · 4 citations

  articleOpen access

  Importance: The effect of metformin on reducing symptom duration among outpatient adults with COVID-19 has not been studied. Objective: To assess metformin compared with placebo for symptom resolution during acute infection with SARS-CoV-2. Design, Setting, and Participants: The Accelerating COVID-19 Therapeutic Interventions and Vaccines platform evaluated repurposed medications for mild to moderate COVID-19. Between September 19, 2023, and May 1, 2024, participants 30 years or older with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and 2 or more COVID-19 symptoms for 7 days or less were included at 90 US sites. Interventions: Participants were randomized to receive metformin (titrated to 1500 mg, daily) or placebo for 14 days. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was time to sustained recovery (3 consecutive days without COVID-19 symptoms) within 28 days of receiving the study drug. Secondary outcomes included time to clinic visit, emergency department (ED) visit, hospitalization, or death. Safety events of interest were hypoglycemia and lactic acidosis. Results: Among 2991 participants who were randomized and received study drug, the median age was 47 (IQR, 38-58) years; 1895 (63.4%) were female, 25 (0.8%) were American Indian of Alaska Native, 77 (2.6%) were Asian, 350 (11.7%) were Black, African American, or African, 1392 (46.5%) identified as Hispanic or Latino, 8 (0.3%) were Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, 2395 (80.1%) were White, and 2044 (68.3%) reported 2 or more doses of a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. Among 1443 (48.2%) participants who received metformin and 1548 (51.8%) who received placebo, differences in time to sustained recovery were not observed (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.96; 95% credible interval [CrI], 0.89-1.03; P for efficacy = .11). The median time to sustained recovery was 9 days (95% CI, 9-10) for metformin and 10 days (95% CI, 9-10) for placebo. No deaths were reported; 103 participants reported clinic visits, ED visits, or hospitalization: 54 in the metformin group and 49 in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 1.25; 95% CrI, 0.82-1.78; P for efficacy = .13). Overall, 35 (1.2%) reported ED visits or hospitalization (1.1% in the metformin and 1.3% in the placebo group). Seven participants who received metformin and 3 who received placebo experienced a serious adverse event over 180 days. There were 4 episodes of participant-reported hypoglycemia in the placebo group and 2 in the metformin group. Conclusions and Relevance: In this randomized clinical trial, metformin was not shown to shorten the time to symptom resolution in low-risk adults with COVID-19. The median days to symptom resolution was numerically but not significantly lower for metformin. Safety was not a limitation in the study population. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04885530.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• P-478. Assessing HIV Transmitted Drug Resistance and cluster detection among Antiretroviral-Naïve individuals in Hispaniola

  Open Forum Infectious Diseases · 2025-01-29

  articleOpen access

  Abstract Background The use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has surged globally, heralding an era of life-saving treatment for millions. However, with this widespread adoption of ART, a concerning trend has emerged: the escalation of antiretroviral resistance. Within the confines of La Hispaniola, encompassing the Dominican Republic (DO) and Haiti(HT), the prevalence of HIV stands among the highest in the Caribbean region. Our main objective is to identify and characterize the extent of transmitted drug resistance (TDR) of HIV among treatment naïve participants, its demographic and the clinical associations in the DO and the transmission networks. Phylogenetic relationships between DRII PRRT sequences and NNRTI SDRMs Methods During May 2021-June 2022, we enrolled 148 newly HIV-diagnosed ART naïve adults at Centro de Orientacion e Investigación (COIN) in DO. Demographic and clinical were collected, and blood samples obtained for partial pol genotyping using NGS. Subtyping and resistance interpretation were performed with Stanford Database tools. Maximum likelihood phylogenies were inferred by RAxML and clusters were defined as clades with bootstrap support of ≥0.8. Extended phylogenetic analyses included ∼1,500 publicly available Caribbean sequences including prior data set from our group. Fisher Exact tests and logistic regression were used to test associations of those in clusters. Phylogenetic relationships of DRI and DRII PRRT sequences Results Among participants the mean age was 30 years, 52% male, 48% were Dominican and 52% Haitian, 74% heterosexual. Among those with genotype, 8% (10 out of 127) had NNRTI SDRMs (Figure 1). A minority SDRMs, range of 1% to 20%, were found in the PI, NRTI and NNRTI. At the relaxed criteria, 17% of participants were in 8 clusters, ranging from 2 to 5 members. Those within clusters were less likely to be older, p=0.026 and more likely to be male, p=0029. Combination of current and prior dataset from the DO revealed 21 clusters, ranging from 2 to 6 members per cluster (Figure 2). Conclusion In the DO, NNRTI-associated TDR is increasing, aligning with the continued use of Efavirenz as first-line ART highlighting the need for an update in the national guidelines. Identification of minority mutations suggests need for TDR surveillance. Detection and response to clusters is a novel, effective modality to understand HIV transmission networks and address care gaps at individual and systems level. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

  PublisherDOI

• Risks and benefits of engaging youth living with HIV in research: perspectives from Kenyan Youth, caregivers, and subject matter experts

  BMC Medical Ethics · 2025-05-16 · 3 citations

  articleOpen access

  BACKGROUND: Involving children and adolescents (youth) living with HIV (YLWH) in research is critical for developing appropriate HIV care services and interventions. However, this vulnerable population may not adequately weigh risks against benefits when participating in research, forming an ethical concern, yet little is known about how YLWH perceive these risks and benefits. To inform research-related policies and procedures, we sought perspectives of Kenyan YLWH, their caregivers and subject matter experts (SMEs) on risks and benefits of participation in research in a setting with a high burden of youth HIV infection. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative inquiry on identifying, enrolling, and protecting YLWH (age 10-24 years) in research using semi-structured interviews with YLWH involved in research, their caregivers, YLWH with no prior research experience, and other SMEs at the AMPATH care and research sites in western Kenya. Transcripts were thematically analyzed and emerging themes derived to characterize perspectives of each group on risks and benefits of engaging YLWH in research. RESULTS: Interviews were conducted with 40 YLWH (50% female; median age 17.5 years), 20 caregivers (70% female), and 39 SMEs [healthcare providers (N = 10), community leaders (N = 10) community advisory board members (N = 4), IRB experts (N = 5), clinical researchers (N = 6), social science researchers (N = 4) and laboratory experts (N = 1).] Participants in all groups identified accidental disclosure of HIV status, stigma and discrimination, risks of blood draws, mental health effects, and coercion due to study compensation as risks of research involvement. Benefits fell into 5 categories: clinical, informational, personal, future and community or household benefits. Benefits included access to health care, learning about HIV, gaining hope and community, improving HIV care, and reducing stigma. All participant groups largely held similar views; however, caregivers were the only group to identify misuse of study compensation as a risk, and YLWH less frequently cited clinical benefits. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that participants commonly cite indirect risks and benefits of research participation, yet these are often excluded from institutional guidelines for consent documentation. Researchers should consider including indirect risks and benefits, such as the risk of stigma or the benefit of gaining knowledge and community, to study documentation.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Joseph W. Hogan

  AMPATH

  154 shared

• Rami Kantor

  John Brown University

  133 shared

• Violet Naanyu

  Moi University

  41 shared

• Paula Braitstein

  Public Health Ontario

  40 shared

• Rachel C. Vreeman

  Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

  40 shared

• Susan Cu‐Uvin

  Brown University

  37 shared

• G. Michael Felker

  Duke University

  36 shared

• Matthew W. McCarthy

  Weill Cornell Medicine

  34 shared

Education

• Ph.D., Microbiology and Molecular Genetics

  Harvard University

  1989

• B.A., English Literature

  Swarthmore College

  1982

• Other, Laboratory of Stephen Dellaporta

  Biology Department, Yale University

  1992

• Other, Laboratory of Dieter Söll

  Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University

  1994

• Other, Laboratory of Dieter Söll

  Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University

  1995

• Other

  Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University

  1996

• Other

  Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University

  2002

• Other

  Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University

  2008

Awards & honors

• National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship (1989-19…
• National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship (1982-1985)
• Phi Beta Kappa (1982)