A remarkable achievement has captivated the science community: Heman Bekele, a 14-year-old student at W.T. Woodson High School in Annandale, Virginia, has been named “America’s Top Young Scientist” for his groundbreaking invention. He created a specialized bar of soap designed to combat low-grade skin cancer.
The Compound-Based Skin Cancer-Treating Soap (SCTS)
Heman Bekele’s skin cancer soap—which he dubbed the Compound-based Skin Cancer-Treating Soap (SCTS)—is a revolutionary, low-cost solution. To clarify, Heman developed the SCTS by combining a powerful mix of active ingredients:
- Salicylic acid
- Glycolic acid
- Tretinoin
His journey began with in-depth research into skin cancer and the functions of dendritic cells. Indeed, these cells play a critical role in boosting the immune response to protect the skin. Consequently, what started as a fascinating science experiment quickly evolved into months of hard work and persistence, driven by a clear goal: creating an accessible treatment option.rk and persistence, driven by a clear goal: creating an accessible treatment option.
Mentorship and the 3M Young Scientist Challenge
The prestigious competition, officially known as the 3M Young Scientist Challenge, is the nation’s premier middle school science competition. Ultimately, it is designed to inspire students to creatively apply STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) principles to discover real-world solutions.
During the process, finalists in the competition are paired with a 3M scientist to serve as their mentor. Crucially, this mentorship is vital for helping the student refine their idea from a basic concept into a working prototype over the summer. For example, Heman received expert guidance from his mentor, Deborah Isabelle, who works in 3M’s Automotive Aftermarket Division. (ACK | 3M/PR Newswire)
In the end, the top 10 finalists of this year’s America’s Top Young Scientist competition spent the last four months intensely competing and developing their innovations. (ACK | 3M/PR Newswire)
The Impact and Future Goals of Heman Bekele
As a result of his success, Heman’s achievement has earned him a $25,000 cash prize and the coveted title. Regarding the future, he has concrete plans for this significant award:
- Securing a Patent: The money will first be used to secure a patent for his innovative invention.
- Funding College: Following that, the remainder will be set aside for his future college education.
- Non-Profit Distribution: Most inspiringly, Heman’s long-term goal is to establish a non-profit organization. In fact, this organization will focus on distributing his skin cancer-treating soap to low-income communities worldwide, ensuring those who need it most can access this vital preventative treatment.
Finally, his story and invention have already garnered significant media attention, being covered by major outlets like The Street, Atlanta Daily World, Western Mass News, and Yahoo News, showcasing the global relevance of his work.
Source : Westmassnews
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