Mark studied Genetics and Cell Biology at Manchester University, UK, before studying for a PhD with the UK Medical Research Council using novel fluorescence imaging techniques to study receptor binding in living cells. 

He subsequently worked at the UK's Synchrotron Radiation Source at Daresbury Laboratory, developing ultraviolet confocal and infrared microscope systems.  He was responsible for the implementation of the dedicated IR microscopy beamline at Daresbury. 

His interests are in the application of microspectroscopy in the study of disease and cell signaling.