A Virginia high school freshman has been named "America's Top Young Scientist" after winning the 3M Young Scientist Challenge.
Heman Bekele, a student at W.T. Woodson High School in the Fairfax County Public Schools system, was awarded $25,000 for his innovative science project. Bekele's project involved creating a soap with the potential to treat skin cancer.
Bekele's inspiration for the project came from his observations of people working long hours under the sun in his native country of Ethiopia. He noticed that skin cancer is prevalent in developing countries, but the cost of treatment is often prohibitively expensive. This led him to develop a soap that could potentially treat skin cancer at a more affordable price.
The young scientist focused his research on dendritic cells, which play a crucial role in the immune system's ability to attack cancer cells. Bekele used a combination of ingredients, including salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and tretinoin, to create a soap that stimulates dendritic cells. One of the main challenges he faced was keeping the soap from flaking into pieces. To overcome this, he experimented with a mixture of moisturizer, coconut oil, and organic shea butter.
Dr. Eric D. Whitman, medical director of Atlantic Health System Cancer Care in New Jersey, praised Bekele's invention as an "interesting way of creating a topical immune activating agent that could help treat or prevent some skin cancers." However, he emphasized the need for further clinical testing to determine the soap's effectiveness in reactivating dendritic cells and treating or preventing cancer.
Bekele worked closely with his mentor, Deborah Isabelle, a product engineering specialist at 3M, to develop his soap over the summer. He also received support from researchers at the University of Virginia, FCPS teachers, and his parents. Bekele's parents expressed their pride in his accomplishment and highlighted their belief in promoting giving back and making an impact in society.
Out of 10 competitors, Bekele emerged as the winner at the 3M Young Scientist Challenge held at 3M's Global Headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota. The participants were evaluated based on their ingenuity, innovative thinking, application of STEM principles, passion and research demonstration, presentation skills, and ability to inspire others.
With his cash prize, Bekele plans to secure a patent for his soap and save for college. In the future, he hopes to establish a nonprofit organization to distribute his soap in low-income communities. His parents expressed excitement about his dedication and resilience paying off, and they believe his success serves as confirmation for other children that anything is possible.
Bekele's mentor, Deborah Isabelle, expressed her privilege in supporting him throughout the process and acknowledged that she learned from him as well. She emphasized that Bekele's project was driven by his own inspiration and hard work. Isabelle also noted that interacting with the talented finalists reminded her that determination is all it takes to solve the world's problems.
Heman Bekele's achievement as "America's Top Young Scientist" showcases the potential of young minds to make a difference in the world. His soap project has the potential to provide affordable treatment for skin cancer, addressing a critical need in developing countries. With his dedication and resilience, Bekele is a shining example of the impact that young scientists can have on society.
Login