In the town of Annandale, Virginia, an inspiring story of determination and creativity is gaining prominence. Heman Bekele, a 14-year-old ninth grader, was recently named “America’s Top Young Scientist.”
The title was bestowed upon Heman for his remarkable invention: an affordable soap for the treatment of skin cancer, specifically melanoma.
Heman’s achievement was made within the scope of the prestigious competition promoted by 3M and Discovery Education, considered one of the main science competitions for high school students in the United States.
His innovation not only made him an outstanding young scientist but also won him the $25,000 cash prize.
An innovative and accessible project
Heman Bekele, who has a deep interest in biology and technology, found the “America’s Best Young Scientist” competition to be the ideal platform to share his innovative ideas.
His journey to winning the award was not a quick one; he competed intensely with nine other finalists over the course of four months.
Image: Andy King/Reproduction
The focus of the competition is to encourage students in grades five to eight to develop innovative ideas that can positively impact the world around them. Heman Bekele’s success in this competitive landscape is a testament to the transformative potential of young minds.
Heman designed an economical soap, with a production cost of approximately US$0.50, intended for the treatment of melanoma, an aggressive type of skin cancer. His invention not only aims to combat the disease effectively but make it accessible to a wide range of people.
In a noble and selfless gesture, Heman plans to further enhance his innovation and establish a non-profit organization dedicated to distributing the soap for underserved communities over the next five years.
This demonstrates their commitment to using their creativity and scientific knowledge to improve people’s quality of life and make melanoma treatment more accessible.
The remarkable achievements of Heman Bekele, along with the other finalists in the competition, not only celebrate the potential of youth, but also highlight the importance of education and encouraging research and innovation from childhood.
The future of science and medicine is bright, and talented young people like Heman play a vital role in finding solutions to significant medical challenges.
According to data from the National Cancer Institute (INCA), the skin cancer is a global concern, affecting millions of people each year. In particular, melanoma is an aggressive form of skin cancer.
Innovations such as the soap developed by Heman Bekele have the potential to make treatment more accessible and effective, contributing to a healthier and more conscious society.
With his remarkable innovation, Heman Bekele demonstrates that age is not an obstacle to the pursuit of knowledge and the creation of meaningful solutions. With young scientists like him leading the way, we envision a bright future full of promise in the pursuit of scientific and medical advances that will benefit everyone.
