Virginia high school student creates soap to fight skin cancer, awarded $25K

A Virginia high school freshman named Heman Bekele has made a remarkable breakthrough in the field of skin cancer treatment. What began as a simple science experiment turned into a life-changing invention.

Heman, attending W.T. Woodson High School, was recently crowned 'America’s Top Young Scientist' and awarded a whopping $25,000 as the winner of the 3M Young Scientist Challenge.

Inspired by the hours people spent working under the scorching sun in his native country, Ethiopia, Heman decided to tackle the issue of skin cancer, especially prevalent in developing countries.

According to Heman, skin cancer is a major concern in countries with limited resources, as the cost of treatment often exceeds $40,000 per person. This realization fueled his determination to make a difference.

This aspiring scientist delved into extensive research on skin cancer, focusing on dendritic cells that play a crucial role in the immune system's attack on cancer cells.

After experimenting with various ingredients, including salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and tretinoin, he successfully created a soap that stimulates dendritic cells, potentially treating skin cancer.

However, Heman faced a significant challenge in keeping the soap from flaking. Undeterred by this setback, he persevered and developed a combination of moisturizer, coconut oil, and organic shea butter to ensure the soap stayed intact.

Recognizing the significance of his invention, Dr. Eric D. Whitman, medical director of Atlantic Health System Cancer Care, praised Heman's 'interesting way of creating a topical immune activating agent that could help treat or prevent some skin cancers.'

Although clinical testing is necessary to determine the soap's effectiveness in reactivating dendritic cells and treating or preventing cancer, Dr. Whitman hopes Heman will get the opportunity to collaborate with clinical centers and uncover the soap's potential promise.

Heman's remarkable achievements were made possible with the support of his mentor, Deborah Isabelle, a product engineering specialist at 3M. Over the summer, they worked together to refine the soap and overcome its challenges.

Outshining nine other competitors, Heman emerged as the winner at the prestigious 3M Young Scientist Challenge held at the company's Global Headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota.

The evaluation criteria included ingenuity, innovative thinking, application of STEM principles, passion for research, presentation skills, and the ability to inspire others.

With the $25,000 prize money, Heman plans to secure a patent for his soap and save for college, furthering his scientific pursuits.

Looking ahead, Heman aspires to establish a nonprofit organization to distribute his soap in low-income communities, providing a potentially life-saving solution to those in need.

His parents, Muluemebet G. Ejigu and Wondwossen B. Gemechu, express immense pride in their son's accomplishments and believe it is a testimony to what is possible for young individuals who are driven, passionate, and given the opportunity to make a difference.

Heman Bekele's incredible journey is a reminder that determination and resilience can lead to groundbreaking breakthroughs. It demonstrates that even at a young age, one can tackle significant global challenges and have a lasting impact on society.

With his soap-making innovation, Heman has not only showcased his scientific brilliance but also instilled hope for a future where preventable deaths due to skin cancer become a thing of the past.