Dr. Indra Boving, Postdoctoral Research Associate

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sydne Record, Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology
Start Date: Fall 2026
Ph.D. 2026, Ecology, University of California
B.A. 2019, Biology, Reed College
indra.boving@maine.edu

Biography: I am a conservation ecologist who combines tools from tree physiology, remote sensing, and mechanistic modeling to improve our ability to map, monitor, and manage forest health under climate change. I grew up in Rhode Island, but spent the last ten years exploring the diverse landscapes and ecological uncertainties on the West Coast, including questions related to fire ecology in coastal chaparral (how drought changes fire behavior from plant tissues to landscapes), physiological trait variation in Sierra Nevada conifers (whether trait adjustments modulate height-driven increases in mortality risk), and bottlenecks to successful conifer regeneration (whether seed source, germination, or physiological tolerances limit giant sequoia growth). Outside of science, I enjoy mountain biking, doing ceramics, and long walks on the beach with my dog, Pickle.

Current Research: My current work uses remote sensing and population models to predict forest size-abundance distributions across space and time.

Area(s) of Expertise: Forest ecophysiology, fire ecology, drought-fire interactions, hyperspectral remote sensing, conservation science and decision-making