Time Magazine has called 15-year-old Heman Bekele their ‘Kid of the Year’. This remarkable teen has developed a soap that could treat and even prevent skin cancer.
It’s a hugely impressive feat for anyone, let alone a 15-year-old from Fairfax Virginia. Bekele moved to the US from Ethiopia as a young child, and was always fascinated with science and chemistry. His study of melanoma has already proven to be valuable, with a potential prevention regimen that involves the drug imiquimod.
His novel idea of incorporating it into soap makes the treatment and prevention universally accessible. Already a winner of a $25,000 prize from 3M, Bekele’s future is looking bright, indeed.
Learn more about this remarkable young man and his efforts on Time’s website.
Photography by Dina Litovsky.
The Youtube video below gives an overview of Bekele’s discovery.
Bekele tells TIME:
“I’m really passionate about skin-cancer research…. whether it’s my own research or what’s happening in the field. It’s absolutely 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.”
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3 Comments
A genius he is
Totally awesome. We need young scientists. Sometimes I think the older ones get stuck in a rut. And forget how to help people.
Just wow. Inspiring and we need kids like these Keep education for all well funded.