Mark Lyng has worked for several years as a researcher and operations manager in the sustainable development field. He began his career as a hydrometeorological technician at the Experimental Lakes Area, where he participated as a member of the Experimental Lakes Area (ELA) research group on research projects and camp operational requirements. During this time, he was responsible for the running of 35 hydrometric stations and a variety of analog and digital instrumentation as the ELA modernized its hydrometric network.

In 1998, Lyng moved over to the ELA lake sampling program as an aquatic research technician and, in 2007, moved to the position of Science Operations Manager, where his responsibilities included coordinating and managing facility infrastructure, operational programs and personnel in support of science activities at the ELA.