Mark is Professor of Neurology, Genetics, and Neurobiology and Anatomy at University of Rochester School of Medicine and is Director of the University of Rochester Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Institute. He is one of the pioneers of stem cell research and directs research on multiple topics, including spinal cord injury, genetic diseases and cancer. He is an inventor on multiple patents, has consulted for multiple pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and was a founding scientific advisory board member of Acorda Therapeutics, Inc., a biotechnology company focused on treatment of neurological disease. He is coauthor of over 140 scientific publications.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, selforganized events that bring people together to share a TEDlike experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, selforganized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are selforganized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)