Prof. Dr. Rai, born in eastern hilly district Bhojpur (Boya-9,) of Nepal, did his Bachelor and Master (Microbiology) Degrees from Post-Graduate Inst of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER) in India in 1984 and 1990 (under WHO scholarship), respectively. He was awarded first class first medal in both the degrees. In 1994, he received one-year PG Training on Molecular Microbiology and Immunology at Hyogo College of Medicine in Japan under the JICA fellowship. In 1996, he received PhD in Medicine (DMSc) from Kobe University, Japan. He is the first Nepalese to be awarded all three classes (Ka, Kha and Ga) of M Vidhya Bhushan (Gold Medal) in the field of Health/Medical Science. After serving at Tribhuvan University Institute of Medicine (Nepal) for eighteen years as Instructor and Lecturer he joined Kobe University (Japan) as Assistant Professor in 1996. Prof. Rai has also worked as Visiting Research Scientist/Professor at Kobe University International Center for Medical Research twice in 1995 (4 months) and 2003 (3 months).

In 2000, he joined Nepal Medical College (NMC) as Associate Professor and became Professor in 2004. He then began to work as Editor of NMC Journal and became Chief-Editor in 2003 (the Journal was indexed in Index Medicus/MEDLINE/ PubMed in 2004).

Prof. Rai has contributed over 13 dozens of scientific papers mainly in the field of infectious diseases. He has also contributed one-and-half dozen of books / chapters in books including in the Asian Parasitology. One of the books named "Atlas of Medical Parasitology" has also been translated into Japanese. Most of his works are collaborated with Japanese scientists and has received research grants including those from Ministry of Education, Government of Japan, US-Japan Society for Promotion of Science, and Experienced Researcher Grant from Nepal Health Research Council (NHRC). In 2005, he has established a well equipped Infectious and Ocular Disease Research Laboratory in Kathmandu. He emphasizes on applied research on health and environmental conditions as to help policy making, teaching students and in providing quality health services. In 2004, he was awarded “Outstanding Health Research Scientist” award by NHRC.

Considering the academic contribution of Prof. Rai, Nepal Medical Association and HASES has awarded the Amar Pahari Literary Award (1996) and Educational Trust Award (1998), respectively. He received Nepal Medical Association's Best Research Paper Award 2007. He has also received Best Actor Award (1979) from Nepal Academy and dozens of awards in the field of Nepalese literature.

He is the Founder Chairman of organizations like (1) National Institute of Tropical Medicine and Public Health Research, (2) ShiGan Health Foundation, (3) Hattigaunda Sewa Samaj (Welfare Society), (4) Indigenous Nationalities Intellectual Society-Nepal (INIS-Nepal), and Bhojpur Boyali Samaj (Ktm). He has keen interest in social works and he is also a member of Lions Club International.

He is advisor of Kirant Rai Yoyokkha (Central Committee), Samyukta Kirant Lok-ganatrantrik Morcha, Shri Ganesh 10+2 Program Hattigaunda (Ktm), Int'l Nepalese Bio-Medical Society and Stupa Health Care Cooperative Limited. He served as the President of Nepal Assoc for Med Laboratory Science (2004-2007). He is member of National Development Council of Govt of Nat'l Planning Commission, High Level Policy Advisory Committee of Ministry of Health, University Grant Commission's Quality Assurance & Accreditation Committee and Academic Council & Senate of Pokhara University. He has also been associated with over dozens of academic / professional organizations. ☺