Heman Bekele, a ninth grader at W.T. Woodson High School in Annandale, has earned the title of America’s Top Young Scientist in the 2023 3M Young Scientist Challenge for his invention of an affordable soap that could positively impact skin cancer outcomes, 3M announced in a news release.
For winning the first-place prize, Bekele took home a $25,000 cash prize.
Students in grades five to eight had the chance to submit a video pitching an innovation or solution that could solve an everyday problem. Competition judges chose 10 finalists, who paired up with mentors to create a prototype of their inventions.
“The need for scientists and innovators to develop solutions for the world’s biggest challenges has never been greater. This year’s Young Scientist Challenge finalists have demonstrated the skills required to reimagine what’s possible — intelligence, curiosity, collaboration, and resilience,” said John Banovetz, 3M executive vice president, chief technology officer and environmental responsibility.
Inspired by the prevalence of skin cancer and the high cost to treat it, Bekele pitched a compound-based soap with salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and tretinoin that could potentially strengthen or regenerate dendritic cells (cells that strengthen immune responses) in order to combat melanoma.
“When first hearing about this issue, I was devastated by the high number of preventable deaths caused by this illness and knew I had to take action,” Berkele said in his video submission.
He then partnered with Deborah Isabelle, the product engineering specialist of abrasives at 3M Automotive Aftermarket Division, to develop a prototype.
Finally, Bekele competed against nine other finalists in a series of interactive challenges that demonstrated their innovative thinking, application of STEM concepts, research, and ability to present their findings.
Bekele hopes to further develop the innovation in the next five years and create a nonprofit to be able to distribute the solution to communities in need.
Other finalists include Shripriya Kalbhavi, a ninth grader from California who created a microneedle patch to administer medications, in second place; and Sarah Wang, a seventh grader from Massachusetts who created a glove that can detect epileptic seizures through hand movements, in third place.
The second and third place winners received a $2,000 prize, and the fourth through tenth place winners received a $1,000 prize and a $500 gift card.
Feature image of Heman Bekele and mentor Deborah Isabelle courtesy 3M
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