Mark received a B.S. degree in chemistry from Williams College (1979) and a Ph.D. degree in physical chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley (1983).  He spent the next four years as a postdoctoral researcher at two institutions, Oregon State University (1984–1985) with Prof. Joseph W. Nibler and the University of Chicago (1985–1987) with Prof. Graham R. Fleming.
In 1987 Mark received his first academic appointment, as assistant professor at the Pennsylvania State University (1987–1993). In 1993 he was appointed associate professor, and in 1997 he was made a full professor.