Mark Nielsen is a Professor in the Department of biology at the University of Utah and for over twenty years. In addition to teaching human anatomy in the Department of biology, he also teaches neuroantomy, embryology, a human dissection course, a teaching human anatomy course, and assists with the comparative vertebrate morphology course. he developed the anatomy course for the physician assistant program at the University of Utah School of Medicine. He developed and continues to help maintain the anatomy and physiology program for the Utah college of Massage Therapy and taught his program there for twelve years during its inception and development. All his courses incorporate a cadaver-based component in the training with an outstanding exposure to cadaver anatomy. He is a member of the American Association of Anatomists (AAA), the Human Anatomy and Physiology Society (HAPS), and the Anatomical Society of Great Britain and Ireland (ASGBI).
His concern for students and his teaching excellence have been acknowledged through numerous awards. He received the prestigious Presidential Teaching Scholar Award at the University of Utah, is a five-time recipient of the University of Utah Student Choice Award for Outstanding Teacher and Mentor, a two time winner of the Outstanding Teacher n the Physician Assistant Program, recipient of the American Massage Therapy Association Jerome Perlinski Teacher of the Year Award, and a two time recipient of Who's Who Among America's Teachers.