A 14-year-old teenager from Virginia has been named America’s Top Young Scientist for creating a soap that treats skin cancer. Heman Bekele, a ninth grader at W.T. Woodson High School in Annandale, emerged as the winner of the 2023 3M Young Scientist Challenge. In addition to the coveted title, young Heman also received a $25,000 cash prize.
Heman’s groundbreaking melanoma-treating soap is a compound-based soap designed specifically to combat skin cancer. What sets this invention apart is its cost-effectiveness, with each bar of soap priced at a mere $0.50. This makes it a much more accessible option for skin cancer treatment when compared to conventional methods. So, not only can the soap treat skin cancer, but it can do so in an equitable and inclusive manner.
From Idea to Product
Speaking on his journey, Heman stated that the stark disparities in skin cancer survival rates between regions with advanced medical technology and underdeveloped areas motivated him to discover a more accessible approach to skin cancer treatment.
Born in Ethiopia and later moving to the U.S. at the age of 4, Heman was deeply moved by the challenges faced by people exposed to the scorching sun in underprivileged regions. The fact that they couldn’t afford skin cancer treatment saddened him. This awareness spurred him to action, and with the help of mentors and the 3M Young Scientist Challenge, he turned his hypothesis into a tangible product.
Heman’s journey began with a science experiment, which ultimately led to the creation of his “Skin Cancer Treating Soap,” or SCTS. He delved into research on skin cancer, focusing on dendritic cells that enhance the skin’s immune response. This was followed by months of experimentation with ingredients like salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and tretinoin until he finally developed SCTS. The young scientist noted that the major challenge he faced was ensuring the soap’s stability without disintegration. To tackle this problem, he used 3M Cavilon, coconut oil, and organic shea butter.
The 3M Young Scientist Challenge
The impact of the 3M Young Scientist Challenge extended beyond the winners. The finalists were paired with mentors who guided them from concept to prototype during the summer. The young participants were then evaluated on various criteria, including ingenuity, application of STEM principles, and their ability to inspire others.
Heman spent the last four months in intense competition against nine other finalists until he clinched the victory at 3M’s global headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota. In addition to Heman, the competition also produced two other brilliant young minds. Shripriya Kalbhavi, a ninth grader at Lynbrook High School in San Jose, California. Shripriya secured second place with her innovation, “EasyBZ,” a cost-effective micro-needle patch that simplifies drug delivery without the need for pills or needles. The third-place winner, Sarah Wang, a seventh grader at The Pike School in Andover, Massachusetts, presented the “Spring Epilepsy Detection Glove,” a device capable of detecting specific seizures through hand movements and tracking seizure statistics through a smartphone application.
The Future of “SCTS”
Heman intends to obtain US Food and Drug Administration certification and secure a provisional patent for SCTS, with the hope of bringing it to the market by 2025. He also envisions expanding his innovation by establishing a nonprofit organization to provide this low-cost solution to communities in need.
We’re all rooting for Heman and wishing him the best as he conquers the world, one groundbreaking innovation at a time!
