Fifteen-year-old Heman Bekele is making headlines with his innovative approach to fighting skin cancer. Bekele has created a bar of soap that could one day treat and prevent various forms of the disease. His groundbreaking work earned him the top honor at the 3M Young Scientist Challenge last October, along with a $25,000 grant. The funds will be used to further his research and support his educational pursuits.
Born in Ethiopia and now residing in Arlington, Virginia, Bekele and his family moved to the U.S. when he was four. His lifelong passion for science has driven him to explore and experiment from a young age. “I’ve always been curious about the world and eager to understand it better,” Bekele said. His dedication and innovative spirit have already led to significant advancements at a remarkably young age.
Heman Bekele’s observations of people in Ethiopia working long hours under the scorching sun without adequate protection had a profound effect on him. His parents also emphasized the importance of using sunscreen and proper clothing to avoid excessive sun exposure. Witnessing the disparity in skin cancer survival rates between African nations and those with more advanced medical resources, Bekele was driven to find a more affordable and effective solution.
“Skin cancer is a pressing issue in developing countries,” Bekele said after winning the 3M Young Scientist Challenge. “But the cost of treatment can be as high as $40,000. It was upsetting to think that people might have to choose between essential treatment and basic needs for their families. Many of these deaths could be avoided.” Bekele’s research led him to imiquimod, a cream used for treating skin cancer. Inspired by this, he began developing a bar soap designed to administer the necessary treatments. After months of experimentation with salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and tretinoin, he created SCTS, or Skin Cancer Treating Soap.
The soap is designed to reactivate the skin’s dendritic cells, boosting the immune system to provide better protection against skin cancer.
“My goal was not just to address skin cancer but to find a more affordable and accessible treatment option,” Bekele shared earlier this year. “To achieve this, I had to explore a completely different approach from traditional methods like surgery or radiation therapy.” This exploration led him to the idea of a “topical application,” resulting in his development of the bar soap.
Recently, Bekele was honored as one of the most influential young innovators of the year, highlighting the impact and potential of his creation. “There’s still a lot of work to be done,” he acknowledges, as he continues to refine his soap for future market availability by 2028, while also balancing his high school studies.
