Professor Sirirurg Songsivilai was trained in clinical medicine with M.D. (first-class honors with gold medal) from Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, and in molecular biology with Ph.D. degree from University of Cambridge, UK.  He was post-doctoral fellow at University of Colorado Health Science Center in Denver, USA.  In management, he received postgraduate certificates in law and public administration from King Prajadipok Institute, and in science, technology and innovation policy from Harvard University.

Professor Songsivilai is an Anandhamahidol Foundation Scholar awarded by H.M. the King of Thailand.  He returned to Mahidol University in 1992 and, since 2000, became full Professor at Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University in Bangkok.  His main research interest is on molecular biology and genomics of infectious diseases; especially viral hepatitis, melioidosis and avian influenza; focusing on understanding clinical characteristics from the genomics variations.  Professor Songsivilai published extensively in international journals, authored 2 books and 5 patent applications.  He received several international awards and honors, including Rockefeller Biotechnology Career Fellowship, ASEAN Young Scientist and Technologist Award, Taguchi Prize for Outstanding Achievement in Biotechnology in 2002, and National Outstanding Technologist Award in 2003.

In 2004, he joined the National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) as senior executive overseeing the development of bio-industry under the National Biotechnology Policy Committee.  In 2005, Professor Songsivilai became assistant president of the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) and has been appointed the executive director of the National Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC) since 2008.

Professor Songsivilai is also well known for his entrepreneurial activities, having found spin-off biotechnology companies specializing in development and manufacturing of diagnostics and therapeutics for tropical infectious diseases.