15-year-old Heman Bekele Invents Skin Cancer Soap

Source: Dina Litovsky / Dina Litovsky for TIME

A 15-year-old boy from Annandale, Virginia, has been named Time Magazine’s 2024 Kid of the Year for his pioneering efforts in the fight against skin cancer.

Heman Bekele, originally from Ethiopia, is developing a soap that could transform skin cancer treatment, Time announced on August 15.

“It’s amazing to think that one day my soap could directly impact someone’s life,” Heman shared with Time. “That’s what motivated me from the start.”

Heman’s groundbreaking soap aims to provide a more accessible and affordable way to deliver treatment for skin cancers, including melanoma, as noted in the magazine’s release.

Although the soap is still in the testing phase and not yet available to the public, NBC Washington reports that it could take up to a decade to receive FDA certification.

Heman’s journey into innovation began when he was just seven years old. He would experiment with everyday household items, such as dish soap and laundry detergent, to create what he called his “potions.” He conducted these experiments in secret, hiding the mixtures under his bed to see how they would change overnight. “They were just simple household chemicals,” Heman explained. “I’d mix them together at random and observe what happened.”

His innovative soap has already earned him significant recognition. At 14, he was named America’s Top Young Scientist by 3M and Discovery Education in 2023, besting nine other finalists and earning a $25,000 prize.

Deborah Isabelle, Heman’s 3M mentor, described him as “kind, intelligent, focused, inspiring, and full of energy,” as reported by NPR.

Ms. Isabelle, who chairs 3M’s science training encouragement program, added, “He’s going to continue inspiring other young people to see that science can truly make a positive difference.”

The Kid of the Year award, which began in 2020, celebrates young individuals in the U.S. who are making significant societal contributions.

The first recipient, Gitanjali Rao, was recognized at age 15 for her work on issues like contaminated drinking water and cyberbullying. In 2021, 11-year-old Orion Jean received the award for his “Race to Kindness” campaign, which promotes kindness and literacy.

Heman’s selection as the 2024 Kid of the Year highlights his potential to revolutionize skin cancer treatment, Time noted.

“I hope my work inspires other young scientists to pursue their ideas and make a difference,” Heman said.

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