Heman Bekele, an Ethiopian-born teen, has been named Time’s 2024 Kid of the Year for his groundbreaking work on a skin cancer soap, announced on August 15.
“It’s amazing to think that my soap could one day directly impact someone’s life,” Heman shared with Time. “That’s why I started this project.”
His soap aims to provide a more accessible and affordable way to treat skin cancers like melanoma, according to the magazine’s release. However, it’s still in the testing phase and isn’t available for purchase yet. NBC Washington notes that it might take up to a decade for the soap to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.
Heman’s journey began when he was just over seven years old, mixing household chemicals like dish soap and laundry detergent to create what he called his “potions.” He would hide these mixtures under his bed to see what happened over time. “I mixed things at random and observed the results,” he recalled.
His innovative approach has garnered significant attention. At 14, Heman was named America’s Top Young Scientist by 3M and Discovery Education, beating nine other finalists and winning a $25,000 prize.
Deborah Isabelle, Heman’s mentor at 3M, describes him as “kind, intelligent, focused, inspiring, and energetic.” She believes he will continue to inspire other young scientists to see how science can make a difference.
The Kid of the Year award, started in 2020, honours young individuals making impactful contributions. Past winners include Gitanjali Rao, who tackled contaminated water and cyberbullying, and Orion Jean, known for his “Race to Kindness” campaign.
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Heman’s accolade highlights his potential to revolutionise skin cancer treatment, as noted by Time. “I hope my work encourages other young scientists to pursue their ideas and make a difference,” he said.
