Who is Heman Bekele?

Heman Bekele is crowned “America’s Top Young Scientist” after winning this year’s 3M Young Scientist Challenge. The memories of people working long hours outside under the glaring sun in Ethiopia stayed with him.

“Skin cancer is mostly found on people who live within developing countries,” Heman says. “But the average price for an operation is $40,000. I was devastated by the idea of people having to choose between treatment and putting food on the table for their families. There are so many preventable deaths.”

He was determined to find a better way. So Heman researched skin cancer, learning about dendritic cells, which he says help protect skin by boosting immune response. He spent months playing with salicylic acid, glycolic acid and tretinoin. Seeking the right combination to help treat skin cancer. He developed SCTS, which stands for skin cancer treating soap, and works by reactivating dendritic cells.

“I was just looking for a fun science experiment at first,” he says.

The Spirit of Humanity

The process taught him the value of persistence, Heman says, with one major challenge being how to find the right combo to ensure the soap held together without flaking into pieces. Using 3M Cavilon (a moisturizer and barrier cream), coconut oil, and organic shea butter, he was able to make that happen.

“It was so difficult to get a bar of soap that didn’t just melt immediately,” Heman says, adding he probably tried a dozen different combinations. “Persistence is a very important part of the scientific process.”

Bekele researched more about skin cancer and dendritic cells. In the video he submitted for the contest, he mentioned the three ingredients are salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and tretinoin. He further explained that the three ingredients are keratolytic agents that break down the skin’s outer layers.

Supporting the Cause

The young genius named the product skin-cancer treating soap (SCTS). A patient can apply the soap to the skin every two to three days after getting a prescription.

Bekele also received $25,000 with the award, which he plans to put towards securing a patent and college education.

Heman aspires to become an electrical engineer in the future. He said, “I envision myself leading a team of professionals. Developing innovative electrical systems that will shape the future of technology. Alongside my professional success, I hope to have a fulfilling personal life with a loving family and a strong network of friends.”

Give Back

He added, “I also hope to have given back to my community by mentoring aspiring engineers and supporting initiatives that promote STEM education. Ultimately, in 15 years, I hope I positively impacted the world through my work and personal endeavors.

According to Bekele’s LinkedIn profile, he is a freshman attending Woodson High School and a self-taught programmer, fluent in Python, Lua, JavaScript, and C. He describes himself as “passionate about medicine, programming, and making an impact” and “eager for opportunities in research and internships in STEM & computer science.”

All told, Heman’s product, SCTS can be made for $0.50 a bar, or $8.50 for a pack of 20 bars, he says. He believes using the soap every few days can help treat certain forms of skin cancer.

Declining College Enrollment