Teen Invents Soap to Combat Skin Cancer

Meet Heman Bekele, a 15-year-old from Fairfax County, Virginia, who’s making waves in the science world as TIME‘s Kid of the Year for 2024. What’s the big news? Heman has invented a soap that might just change how we treat skin cancer.

Growing up in Ethiopia, Heman saw people working under the harsh sun, which got him thinking about skin health. After moving to the U.S. at age 4, he became interested in creating an affordable way to fight skin cancer. His journey began when he received a chemistry set that sparked his passion for science.

This young inventor is using lipid-based nanoparticles to deliver a powerful cancer-fighting drug called imiquimod. His innovative approach highlights the potential of soap as a tool for treatment, aiming to make it accessible for everyone.

Heman’s invention caught the attention of the 3M Young Scientist Challenge, where he earned a $25,000 prize for his groundbreaking work. Now, he’s teaming up with Vito Rebecca, a molecular biologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, to bring his soap from the lab to reality.

So, what’s next for Heman? He’s working hard to test the soap’s effectiveness and dreams of making it widely available, all while managing the challenges of securing patents and FDA approval.

When he’s not in the lab, Heman enjoys spending time in the marching band, playing basketball, reading, and even playing chess. He credits his family and mentors for their support in helping him achieve his dreams.