Song grew up in Tianjin, China. After earning his B.S. from Peking University in 2008, he pursued graduate studies at Harvard University working under the tutelage of Professor Eric Jacobsen. His doctoral research was focused on the development and mechanistic understanding of enantioselective reactions catalyzed by multifunctional hydrogen-bond donors. Motivated by the deep interest in catalysis cultivated by his graduate studies, Song then carried out postdoctoral studies with Professor Chris Chang at UC Berkeley. His postdoctoral research was focused on the design of molecularly tunable materials, such as covalent organic frameworks, as catalysts for electrochemical conversion of CO₂ to value-added products. In the summer of 2016, Song moved to Ithaca to start his independent career. He was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure in July 2021 and then to Full Professor in January 2023.

Outside of work, Song enjoys exercising, watching and playing tennis and pool, hanging out with his Shiba Inus (Cooper and Tako), and traveling with his family to explore different cultures and cuisines around the world.