Melanie Boling
Melanie Boling is a highly accomplished individual with a diverse background encompassing military service, scientific research, and artistic pursuits.
Extreme Environments Field Research Scientist: Boling focuses on studying the effects of extreme environments, such as those related to climate change, on the brain and behavior.
Founder of Boling Expeditionary Research, Gallivanting, and Imagery Beyond Borders: She established these organizations for education through scientific exploration and documentary photojournalism.
Military Veteran: She served in the United States Air Force during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Academic Pursuits: Her studies include Neuroscience and Psychology at Harvard University, Psychology and Astrobiology at the University of Washington.
Holistic Health Advocate: Boling is also a Trauma-Informed Yoga Educator, Reiki Master, and Expeditionary Wilderness First Responder.
She has worked with military members, veterans, and their families in alternative mental health therapy settings, including outdoor and adventure therapy.
Her past roles include Military Photojournalist, Deputy Director of Communications and Special Initiatives for Harvard Veteran Alumni Organization, and Media for The Explorers Club Pacific Northwest Chapter.
As a scientist, Boling studies the relationship between climate change and its impacts on the human brain and behavior. She studies these effects in areas impacted by climate change.
Boling's work recognizes that changes in environmental conditions, like extreme temperatures and humidity, can disrupt the brain's ability to regulate body temperature. This can potentially lead to malfunctions, impacting neurological and psychiatric conditions.
This research is essential for comprehending the full scope of climate change impacts. By investigating the neurological and behavioral consequences, Boling contributes to a holistic understanding of how a changing planet affects human well-being and informs strategies for adaptation and resilience.
Current Focus: Her focus for 2025 includes personal and family well-being, working on a screenplay for a military biopic, completing yoga teacher trainings, and traveling with her family.
Experience
Founder, Gallivanting.
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 Master and Animal Reiki Practioner.
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.
Academic Certificate, Field Mycology, The Evergreen State College.
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), Remote Medical Training (2026).
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.
Registered Tantra Yoga Teacher, RYT-200, My Vinyasa Practice (2025).
Registered Yoga Teacher, RYT-500, My Vinyasa Practice (2025).
Reiki Master and Animal Reiki Practitioner.
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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