Melanie Boling, Boling Expeditionary Research & Imagery Beyond Borders
United States Air Force OEF and OIF Veteran and Documentary Photojournalist, Melanie Boling founded Imagery Beyond Borders in 2005. Boling worked directly with Active Duty U.S. Military, Military Veterans, and Military Families in the alternative mental health therapy space such as Outdoor and Adventure Therapy.
In 2021 while attending Harvard University, Boling launched her Expeditionary Research and Consulting Company, Boling Expeditionary Research.
Melanie specializes in Psychopathology (Abnormal Behavior) in Extreme Environments. Her primary focus is the Effects of Extreme Environments on Brain and Behavior.
Melanie began studying Neuroscience and Psychology at Harvard in 2020. She is pursuing Psychology and Astrobiology (Space Exploration) at the University of Washington. Melanie’s focus is Space Exploration. She is also completing an academic certificate in Field Mycology (Psychedelic and Medicinal Mycology) at The Evergreen State College.
Boling plans to bring her academic research to Utah and the Arctic utilizing her Psychological Field Kit at the Mars Society’s Analog Space Stations. Later, she will travel to South America where she will study the Effects of Amazonian Entheogen Therapy on Personality Disorders in High-Altitude Environments.
Future Field Research includes observing and investigating the Effects of Climate Change on Brain and Behavior on Kwajalein Atoll, Republic of The Marshall Islands; Island of Moloka’i, Hawai’i; North Sumatra, Indonesia; Makah Nation, Pacific Northwest; and the Amazon Rainforest.”
In 2025, Melanie is focusing on the well-being of herself and her family. She is presently writing a screenplay for a military biopic and traveling around the United States with her family and two DDR German Shepherd Dogs.
Experience
Extreme Environments Field Research Scientist • Extreme Environments Well-Being Officer • Holistic Health Consulting, Boling Expeditionary Research.
Mission Support • Media, Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station (FMARS), The Mars Society.
Biopic Screenwriter, Imagery Beyond Borders.
Founder • Documentary Photojournalist, Imagery Beyond Borders.
Outreach and Media, The Explorers Club Pacific Northwest Chapter.
Founder • Director of Research & International Development, Peer Wild.
Special Initiatives Officer: HVAO Mental Health • Deputy Director of Communications, Harvard Veterans Mental Health Initiative, Harvard Veterans Alumni Organization.United States Air Force Veteran, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
NATO Stabilization Force Protection Officer, Department of Defense
Trauma-Informed Yoga Educator, E-RYT.Reiki Practitioner
Expeditionary Wilderness First Responder.
Future Academics
PhD Candidate, Psychology and Astrobiology (Space Exploration), University of Washington.
Current AcademicsPsychology and Astrobiology (Space Exploration), University of Washington,’28.
Academic Certificate, Field Mycology, The Evergreen State College, ‘26.
Ongoing Field ResearchPsychopathology in Extreme Environments.
The Psychological Field Kit in Analog Space Environments.
The Effects of Extreme Environments on Brain and Behavior.
Ongoing Wildlife Research
Coastal Rainforest Wolves of the Pacific Northwest.
Ongoing Environmental Research
Holistic Cultural Practices of Temperate and Tropical Rainforests.
Academics
Neurophysiology, Harvard Extension School.
Cognitive Behavioral Psychology and Neuroscience, Harvard University.
Continuing Medical Education, Stanford University.
Conservation Sciences, Harvard University.
Homeland Security and Counterterrorism; Emergency Management, University of Maryland.
Marine Biology; Oceanography, University of Hawai’i.
Fine Arts, Southern Illinois University.
Air Traffic Control, Air University.
Culinary Arts, Hotel & Recreation Management, Mortuary Affairs, Air University.
Photojournalism, New York Institute of Photography.
Conflict Journalism; Ethics; Trauma and Journalism, Poytner News University.
Certifications & Licenses
Wilderness REMT, Emergency Medical Technician from the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT), Medical Care Person in Charge (MCPIC), and Healthcare Provider CPR/AED (ECSI), ‘25.
Wilderness First Responder, WFR, National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS).
Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher, E-RYT, Yandara Yoga.
Registered Trauma-Informed Children’s Yoga Educator, RCYT-95, Yoga Ed.
Qualified Youth Leader, The Mountaineers.
National Geographic Society Educator.
The Boling Family and Founders of Peer Wild, est. 2017, “Empowering kids to find and use their voice through heart-centered storytelling and stewardship of your own backyard.”
The Boling Family at Hale Koa Military Resort, Waikiki Beach, O’ahu, Hawai’i.
The Boling Family at Point Defiance, Tacoma, Washington.
Melanie Boling in Sacred Valley of the Peruvian Andes outside of Cusco, Peru.
United States Air Force Veteran Melanie Boling at Higher Ground Ranch Rodeo in Sun Valley, Idaho.
Airman Melanie Boling during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Baghdad, Iraq, 2003.
Melanie Boling on expedition in British Columbia, Canada.
Melanie Boling, E-RYT and RCYT specializing in Trauma-Informed Yoga on the day of graduation in North Bali, Indonesia.
Melanie Boling in El Yunque National Park on the island of Puerto Rico.
Melanie Boling and Expeditionary Service Dog River Roux at Machu Picchu in the Peruvian Andes Mountains.
Expeditionary Service Dog River Roux and Melanie Boling near Machu Picchu, Peru.
Melanie Boling at Hot Spring National Park, Arkansas.
Melanie Boling and Expeditionary Service Dog River Roux, Honolulu, O’ahu. Hawai’i.
Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran Melanie Boling with her horse Remy in Sun Valley, Idaho.
Melanie Boling on the island of Molokai, Hawai’i.
Melanie Boling on expedition in the buffer zone of the Leuser Ecosystem.
PC: PWB
Melanie Boling in Olympic National Park, Washington.
My Happy Place. Olympic Mountains, Washington State, USA.
Melanie Boling in the Quinault Rainforest of Olympic National Park, Washington.
Melanie Boling, E-RYT looking toward the sunrise over Bali Island, Indonesia.
Hawai’i is where my heart is and forever it shall be. Captured by my amazing daughter, Mia B.
Melanie Boling at Base Camp in Kaua’i, Hawai’i, USA.
Melanie Boling capturing the beauty of El Yunque, Puerto Rico.
United State Air Force OEF and OIF Combat Veteran, Melanie Boling at Pavco Flight School, Gig Harbor, Washington.
E-RYT, Melanie Boling, above the clouds on Big Island, Hawai’i.
Melanie Boling at Goonies Beach on the Oregon Coast.
Melanie Boling at Olympic National Park, Washington.
Be the positive change you wish to see in the world; integrity first; and lead by example. Anything of value is worth the effort.
© Melanie Boling | Imagery Beyond Borders
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