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Fifteen-year-old Heman Bekele, born in Addis Ababa and now a high school student in Virginia, has been honoured by TIME as Kid of the Year 2024 for his innovative work on a soap designed to treat and potentially prevent early skin cancer.
Bekele’s creation, called the Skin Cancer Treating Soap (SCTS), incorporates imiquimod, a drug already approved for skin cancer treatment in cream form. What sets his invention apart is the use of lipid-based nanoparticles that allow the active drug to adhere to the skin even after washing, a significant advance over standard formulations.
His inspiration came from childhood memories in Ethiopia, where he saw many people working outside under strong sun without adequate protection. After moving to the U.S., he developed a deep interest in chemistry and skin-cancer prevention. At about age 7, he was given a chemistry set, which further fuelled his curiosity. Later, he learned about imiquimod’s cancer-fighting properties and wondered if it could be delivered in something simple and affordable like soap.
Bekele’s work has already earned recognition: he won the 2023 3M Young Scientist Challenge, taking home USD 25,000 in prize money. Part of that prize has gone toward advancing his research, and he now conducts experiments in a lab setting at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, including animal testing.
While his invention shows promise, experts note there are still many steps ahead before it can become a usable treatment: more laboratory work, safety trials, possible FDA or relevant regulatory approval, and real-world testing. Bekele has expressed his commitment to that journey, while also balancing school and other activities.
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