Heman Bekele, an ambitious 15-year-old innovator on a mission to revolutionize skin cancer treatment. This Ethiopian-American prodigy, who moved to the U.S. at the tender age of four, is channeling his childhood curiosity into a ground-breaking concept: a medicinal soap infused with imiquimod, a drug already known for its skin cancer-fighting abilities.
Inspired by the harsh realities of sun exposure in his homeland, Heman is using his passion for science to find a solution for skin cancer. He envisioned a soap that wouldn’t just wash away but deliver life-saving medication through tiny nanoparticles that adhere to the skin, ensuring the treatment remains effective even after rinsing. Heman’s innovative spirit led him to create MTS (Melanoma Treating Soap), a soap laced with Imidazoquinoline—a drug historically used for antifungal and acne treatments but now being explored for its potential against skin cancer.
Heman’s journey began in his family’s kitchen, where he experimented with the saponification process, transforming simple ingredients into a potent bar of soap. MTS boasts a unique formulation, utilizing lipid-based nanoparticles to deliver cancer-fighting agents deep into the skin, promising a sticky yet effective treatment experience. Each bar is designed not only for efficacy but also with the environment in mind, featuring biodegradable packaging tailored for communities lacking recycling facilities.
While Heman has validated his soap’s potential through digital molecular testing, he is clear-eyed about the hurdles ahead, including acquiring FDA certification and conducting human trials. With a vision for the future, he aims to establish a nonprofit by 2028, ensuring that affordable skin cancer treatments are accessible globally.
In 2023, Heman’s ingenuity caught the attention of the 3M Young Scientist Challenge, where his compelling video pitch won him a $25,000 prize and mentorship from seasoned scientists, including Deborah Isabelle, a Product Engineering Specialist and Vito Rebecca from Johns Hopkins University, a translational molecular biologist. Together, they are currently testing the soap on mice with skin cancer—an exciting yet preliminary step in Heman’s journey toward creating a product that could potentially save lives.
Juggling the demands of 10th grade, marching band (flute and trombone!), and the rigorous lab work, Heman is not just a budding scientist but a beacon of hope for those affected by skin cancer. His determination to see his invention make a real-world impact embodies the spirit of innovation, proving that even the youngest minds can contribute significantly to pressing global issues.
With a call to action for fellow youths, Heman encourages them to unleash their creativity: “Just keep inventing,” he urges. “Think of new ways to improve our world and keep making it a better place.” As he graces the cover of TIME magazine as Kid of the Year 2024, one thing is clear: Heman Bekele is not just dreaming big; he’s actively building a future where his soap could be a game-changer in the fight against skin cancer.
