Heman Bekele, a 15-year-old from Fairfax, Virginia, has been named TIME’s 2024 Kid of the Year for his innovative approach to skin cancer treatment. Heman, who was born in Ethiopia and moved to the United States at age four, developed a revolutionary bar of soap that could significantly improve the accessibility and affordability of skin cancer care.
Heman’s invention, known as the Skin Cancer Treating Soap (SCTS), earned him the top prize at the 2023 3M Young Scientist Challenge, along with $25,000. The soap is infused with imiquimod, a cancer-fighting drug that remains on the skin after washing, offering a novel and non-invasive method to treat early-stage skin cancers, including melanoma.
Inspired by his early experiences in Ethiopia, where he saw people working under the relentless sun without protection, Heman was driven to find a solution to the global problem of skin cancer. His goal was to create a treatment that is not only effective but also affordable and accessible to people everywhere.
“I’m really passionate about skin-cancer research,” Heman said. “It’s incredible to think that one day my bar of soap will be able to make a direct impact on somebody else’s life. That’s the reason I started this all in the first place.”
Heman’s dedication and innovative thinking have earned him widespread recognition. His mentor, 3M engineer Deborah Isabelle, praised his compassionate approach and the potential of his invention to make a profound impact on global health.
Heman’s success follows in the footsteps of other young innovators, like Gitanjali Rao, who was named America’s Top Young Scientist in 2017. As Heman continues to refine his invention, he remains committed to his vision of making skin cancer treatment more accessible and affordable, with hopes to bring SCTS to the market by 2028.
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