A 14-year-old boy, Heman Bekele, currently a ninth grader at W.T. Woodson High School in Annandale, Virginia, has achieved a remarkable feat by being crowned as America's Top Young Scientist in the 2023 3M Young Scientists Challenge. His outstanding invention, an affordable bar of soap designed to effectively treat skin cancer, has earned him a well-deserved $25,000 grand prize.
He addressed this issue by ingeniously infusing medicinal soap with three specific ingredients known to reactivate dendritic cells, which play a crucial role in generating an immune response against cancer.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Bekele’s soap is its affordability.
The cost of producing each bar of this cancer-fighting soap is a mere $0.50 (approximately N382.33), a stark contrast to the exorbitant expenses associated with current medical treatments, which can soar to over $40,000 (approximately N35 million).
“Skin cancer is mostly found in people living in developing countries,’ Bekele told Fairfax County Public Schools.
“But the average price for an operation is $40,000.
“14-year-old boy crowned America
“I was devastated by the idea of people choosing between treatment and putting food on the table for their families. There are so many preventable deaths.’
The young scientist’s journey began with extensive research into skin cancer and dendritic cells, which are pivotal in protecting the skin by enhancing the immune response.
