15-year-old Heman Bekele from Annandale, Virginia, has been named TIME magazine’s 2024 Kid of the Year for his groundbreaking invention—a soap that holds the potential to revolutionize the treatment of skin cancer. Bekele, a sophomore at W.T. Woodson High School has garnered national acclaim for developing an affordable, compound-based bar of soap that could one day serve as a more accessible means of delivering medication to treat skin cancers, including melanoma.
Bekele’s journey into the world of science began at an early age, fueled by a deep curiosity and passion. Growing up in Ethiopia, he was keenly aware of the harsh effects of prolonged exposure to the sun on people’s skin. This observation planted the seeds for his future innovation. “I saw so many people working long hours under the hot sun,” Bekele recalls. “What keeps me pushing forward is thinking back to the impact that I will be able to have on those groups of people when I one day release that bar of soap.”
His love for science was evident even as a child. By the time he was just five years old, Bekele was already experimenting with household chemicals, mixing dish soap, laundry detergent, and other common ingredients to see what would happen. This early fascination with chemistry set the stage for the groundbreaking work he’s doing today.
His invention is designed to deliver medication directly through the skin, offering a more accessible and potentially life-saving treatment for those affected by skin cancer. “I’m really passionate about skin-cancer research,” Bekele shared in an interview with TIME. “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.”
Despite his impressive scientific achievements, Bekele remains a well-rounded teenager. He is an active member of his high school’s marching band, where he plays the flute and trombone, and enjoys playing basketball, reading fantasy books, and playing chess. Balancing his academic pursuits with his personal interests, Bekele exemplifies the spirit of innovation, determination, and passion.
In 2023, when he was just 14 years old, he was also honored as America’s Top Young Scientist by 3M and Discovery Education after competing against nine other finalists. He received a $25,000 cash prize as part of the award.
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