He built an optical telescope with his brother and some friends when he was about twelve years old. However, he did not decide that he would pursue a career in astronomy until he was a junior in college. At that time in his education, he became very interested in physics and astrophysics. Education and Ph.D. project Mark received a B.S. in mathematics at Missouri Southern State College in Joplin, Missouri. He started taking physics courses towards the end of his undergraduate work, and next attended New Mexico State University where he received a M.S. in physics.
Molecules begin to form as elements from the stars escape into space.
Mark then worked at the Naval Research Lab in Washington, D.C. until 1992, when he came to NRAO and began working on VLBI operations at the VLA with Joan Wrobel . He has been involved more recently as support to the users of the spacefield VLBI, which integrates the use of Halca , the Japanese radio telescope satellite.