Xia Qingyou is the dean and a professor of the School of Biotechnology, Southwest University.

He started his career in 1985 and went to Japan in 1997 participating in Japan's silkworm genome project. After returning home in 2001, he organized the Chinese silkworm genome project. Afterwards, he served as chief scientist for more than 20 key projects from 973 and 863 program and made several world advanced achievements.

In 2003, a draft sequence for the genome of the domesticated silkworm was accomplished, which became another important achievement in China after Human Genome Project Chinese Chapter and Rice Genome Project. In 2008, the fine genome map of domesticated silkworm was completed with international cooperation. In 2009, 40 Genetic Variation Maps of Silkworms were completed.

He chaired and established world first silkworm genome database (SilkDB), developed product technology of naturally colored silk cocoons, nurtured first genetically engineered green silkworm in China, and nurtured more than 40 kinds of anti-virus genetically engineered elements, silk production improvement elements, and bio reactor elements. Those achievements laid a solid foundation for future development and expansion of worm silk industry.

Xia Qingyou also nurtured more than 50 graduates, 60 undergraduates, international students and trainees.

He published more than 110 articles as first author or communicating author in journals including Science, Nature, Biotechnology, Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences, Genome Biology, Nucleic Acids Research, PloS One, and others.

He was awarded the title of “Outstanding Scientist of China” in 2010.