In 2012, a STEP-UP training lab was set up in the Republic of the Marshall Islands in order to establish a means for high school students to get involved in research. Local program coordinators, Walton Bohanny and Snooky Bumanglag, assist students who are interested in applying to the program as well as those who have been accepted. Accepted students are paired with a experienced research mentor and together work to complete a summer research project at the STEP-UP Training Lab located at the College of the Marshall Islands or at another local agency.
Walton Bohanny
College of the Marshall Islands
Mr. Bohanny is a faculty member of the Nursing Department and Director of Area Health Education Center (AHEC) at the College of the Marshall Islands. Mr. Bohanny graduated from the College of the Marshall Islands in 1993 with an AS in Nursing. Shortly after, he attended Viterbo University in Wisconsin and received his BS in Nursing in 1996. Mr. Bohanny then attended the Taipei National University of Nursing and graduated with a MS in Nursing in 1999. Mr. Bohanny was born and raised on Majuro Atoll, the main atoll of the Marshall Islands.
Snooky Bumanglag
Marshall Islands High School
Ms. Snooky Bumanglag is a teacher at Marshall Islands High School and has supported students through their application and participation in the Pacific STEP-UP program for many years. She has chaperoned students for their travel to the annual symposiums and assisted in preparing them for their presentations.
