Dr. Boulton initially attended Queen's University at Kingston, where he earned his Bachelor of Science (honours) in 1994. This experience instilled a keen interest in medical research that was cultivated during his Ph.D. years studying cerebrospinal fluid physiology under the supervision of Dr. Miles Johnston. Medical school and Neurosurgical training followed at the University of Toronto, headed by Dr. Chris Wallace and Dr. Jim Rutka. Fellowship training in neuroendovascular treatment was completed under the guidance of Dr. Tom Marotta at the St. Michael's Hospital Neurovascular Program.

Dr. Boulton joined the Department of Clinical and Neurological Sciences in 2008 as a member of the cerebrovascular group and is the main contact for the Charles Drake Clinical Fellowship in Neurovascular Therapy. He is the Co-Lead for the Competency by Design Neurosurgery Residency Program through the RCPSC and also assists with the development of the neurosurgery written exam administered by the RCPSC. Dr. Boulton is a member of the London and District Academy of Medicine, the Clinical Teachers Association, the Canadian Interventional Neuro Group, the Canadian Neurosurgical Society, the Canadian Medical Protective Association, the Canadian Medical Association, the Ontario Medical Association, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons.