Dr. Arlene G. Bertuso is a graduate of BS in Agriculture (Major in Entomology) in UPLB. She finished her MS in Agriculture degree, specializing in Applied Biological Sciences from Saga University in Japan in 1999 and then her Ph.D. in Agricultural Science (Specializing in Science of Life Environment and Conservation; Insect Physiology and Biochemistry) from Kagoshima University, also in Japan in 2002.

Dr. Bertuso is currently a professor and was appointed as Chairperson of the Department of Parasitology in the College of Public Health (CPH), U.P. Manila from 2013-2016. She was reappointed as chair of the same department in November 2017 until June 2019. Dr. Bertuso joined the department as Associate Professor in December 2004. Previous to this appointment, she worked at the National Crop Protection Center of the University of the Philippines at Los Baños (NCPC-UPLB) for 12 years, first as a University Research Associate and then later as University Researcher. While at the NCPC-UPLB, Dr. Bertuso conducted several researches on the chemical and biological control of pests of agricultural crops as well as Integrated Pest Management (IPM) of major agricultural crops such as rice, corn and vegetables. She also devoted some time in organizing the farmers’ field schools on IPM in the Province of Laguna.

At the CPH, her researches are focused on the surveillance, control and prevention of pests and vectors of dengue, chikungunya, Japanese B encephalitis, trench fever and other diseases such as pediculosis and scabies. Dr. Bertuso’s work has been published in both local and international journals. She also received several international publication awards from the University. She was awarded the Crispin Villanueva Professorial Chair for Public Health Entomology from 2012-2014 and One UP Professorial Chair in Public Health Entomology in 2016 to present.

Dr. Bertuso is a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Applied Entomology and Zoology in Japan, the U.P. Manila Ethics Review Board and Institutional Biosafety and Biosecurity Committee. Currently, she is a consultant of the Food and Drug Administration of the Department of Health on household/urban hazardous substances and pesticides. She coordinates undergraduate and postgraduate courses in medical entomology and parasitology offered by the department and the college as well. She also teaches medical entomology and parasitology courses to the undergraduate and graduate students of the College of Nursing and College of Medicine, U.P. Manila.