A Black Virginia teen has recently been recognized as one of the smartest people in the nation, developing a soap that helps treat skin cancer.
A ninth grader, the teen’s scientific discovery has won him a five-figure cash prize and the title of “America’s Top Young Scientist.”
Heman Bekele, a 14-year-old student at W.T. Woodson High School in Annandale, Virginia, has been named the winner of the prestigious 2023 3M Young Scientist Challenge, presented by 3M and Discovery Education at the company’s global headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Oct. 9 and 10.
Bekele outshined nine other finalists over a four-month competition period. His submission, a groundbreaking compound-based Skin Cancer Treating Soap (SCTS), blew the judges away and secured him the grand prize. As a winner, he walked away with a champion’s title and $25,000.
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All of the young people were paired with 3M scientists before being charged to navigate a series of interactive challenges. Over that time, the nine students were rigorously evaluated based on their ingenuity, application of STEM principles, passion for research, presentation skills, and their ability to inspire others. He also started to delve deeply into the research about skin cancer and dendritic cells that informed his submission video.
In his submission video for the project, he highlighted three key ingredients: salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and tretinoin, which act as skin exfoliants that can help melanoma patients. He says patients should use the soap every two to three days with a prescription.
Bekele’s mentor is Deborah Isabelle from 3M’s Automotive Aftermarket Division, and she helped him bring his idea to reality.
His student’s melanoma-treating soap will be cost-effective. Each bar can be manufactured and sold for just $0.50. The young scientist wanted the innovative treatment to be an accessible and affordable alternative to conventional methods of…
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