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Young Scientist’s Innovative Soap Offers Hope for Melanoma Treatment
In an exceptional display of talent and innovation, Heman Bekele, a 14-year-old ninth grader from Annandale, Virginia, has been awarded the prestigious title of “America’s Top Young Scientist.” Bekele’s groundbreaking project introduces a soap that has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of melanoma, a severe form of skin cancer that affects approximately 100,000 people in the United States each year and claims the lives of about 8,000 individuals.
The young scientist’s project, aptly named the “skin cancer treating soap,” won him the top honor after surpassing nine other finalists in a fiercely competitive field. In his submission, Bekele stated, “Curing cancer, one bar of soap at a time.” He went on to explain his passion for biology and technology and how this challenge provided the ideal platform to manifest his innovative ideas.
Bekele’s soap is formulated with compounds designed to reactivate dendritic cells, natural defenders of human skin, empowering them to combat cancer cells. In his video presentation for the 3M Young Scientist Challenge, he expressed his belief that young minds can create a positive impact on the world.
Who is Heman Bekele? 5 Points On US Teen Who Invented Soap To Treat Skin Cancer https://t.co/eTIpKp7QQb pic.twitter.com/AZDgrbkhcD
— NDTV (@ndtv) October 25, 2023
Born in Ethiopia and living there until the age of four, Bekele was inspired by the arduous labor of people working under the scorching sun. He aimed to develop a solution that was not only scientifically sound but also accessible to as many people as possible.
Deborah Isabelle, Bekele’s mentor at 3M, praised his unwavering commitment to making the world a better place, even for those he has not met.
According to the American Cancer Society (ACA), skin cancer is the most prevalent of all cancers, with melanoma constituting only 1% of cases but causing the majority of skin cancer-related deaths. Although melanoma rates have been rising, especially among women over 50, advancements in treatment have led to a decline in melanoma mortality rates over the past decade.
Upon receiving the award, Bekele conveyed his hope to transform his innovative soap into a “symbol of hope, accessibility, and a world where skin cancer treatment is within reach for all.
