A 14-year-old student in Virginia has developed a groundbreaking soap aimed at treating melanoma, a form of skin cancer. Heman Bekele’s innovation earned him the title of “America’s Top Young Scientist” in a national science contest. Inspired by the stark difference in melanoma recovery rate – 99 percent in the U.S. compared to just 20 percent in sub-Saharan Africa – he aimed to create a low-cost solution. By combining simple compounds, he created a soap that reactivates and strengthens dendritic cells. These helps protect the skin from melanoma, the most common cancer in the U.S. For the next five years, he plans to refine his soap and establish a nonprofit to distribute it to those in need. With passion and intelligence, Heman Bekele has reimagined what’s possible and is making it happen for the good of
