Young scientist's soap innovation could revolutionise skin cancer fight

Heman Bekele, currently a 15-year-old high school student in Fairfax County, Virginia, has been interested in chemistry since a young age. His fascination with chemistry began at the age of seven when he received a chemistry set for Christmas that included, among other things, sodium hydroxide. This innocent hobby sparked the beginning of his future scientific career.

Bekele, originally from Ethiopia, observed from an early age the impact of the sun on the skin of people working outside without any protection. After moving to the United States, he became increasingly aware of the harmful effects of UV radiation and the risks associated with prolonged sun exposure.

Over the years, Bekele became interested in skin cancer research and treatment possibilities. His interests turned into a true passion when he learned about imiquimod, a drug used to treat certain forms of skin cancer. This medication, available as a cream, can destroy tumours.

Thinking about the people he had seen in Ethiopia, Bekele wondered if imiquimod could be used at earlier stages of skin cancer development and made more accessible to people of different economic statuses. "Almost everyone uses soap and water for cleaning. So soap would probably be the best option," he explained, describing his idea of creating soap enriched with this medication.

The soap developed by Heman Bekele is not just an ordinary hygiene product. It contains nanoparticles "loaded" with imiquimod designed to keep the drug on the skin even after the soap is rinsed with water. This allows the active substance to work at the molecular level, significantly increasing the effectiveness of the treatment.

The scientific community has recognised Bekele's project. He won the 3M Young Scientist Challenge organised by 3M and Discovery Education, earning a prize of €23,000. Scientists who evaluated his work see tremendous potential in his idea. TIME magazine also named Bekele "Kid of the Year" this year.

Even though Heman's soap still needs to undergo many research stages before it can be approved as an official treatment method, the young scientist is already conducting advanced research at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore. Bekele invited Professor Vito Rebecca to participate in the research, giving him access to a professional laboratory where they jointly test the soap on animal models.

Although approving the soap as a treatment method may take about a decade, Heman Bekele does not intend to give up on his research. Outside of science, he still finds time to play chess and perform in the school orchestra. His determination and passion for science suggest he could become a key figure in the fight against skin cancer.

At just 15 years old, Bekele has shown that young age is not an obstacle to achieving great things, and his soap could be a breakthrough that helps save many lives worldwide.