As a young child, Mark Alsip was sensitive, keenly observant, and hungry for knowledge—one of those kids who was often the smartest person in the room, even when everyone else was an adult. His questions would delight his teachers and infuriate his Sunday school instructors. 

The internal compass that drove him to look for true morality, even as a child, was a genetic predisposition gifted to him by two parents who, despite being deeply faithful to their religious beliefs, never discouraged Mark’s skepticism. 

As a result, Mark’s life has been a journey of twists and turns as to navigate his absurd religious environment in a way that allowed him to walk away and build a brilliant career in the sciences.