Africa to the World: 14-Year-Old Kid Wins $25k Prize for Developing Soap That Treats Skin Cancer

Cursory: A 14-year-old boy, Heman Bekele, a ninth grader at W.T. Woodson High School in Annandale, Virginia,  has been crowned America’s Top Young Scientist in the 2023 3M Young Scientists Challenge.

 Heman Bekele, the 14 year-old boy’s groundbreaking invention, an affordable bar of soap that effectively treats skin cancer, has earned him a well-deserved $25,000 (over N25m) grand prize.

He addressed this issue by ingeniously infusing medicinal soap with three specific ingredients known to reactivate dendritic cells, which play a crucial role in generating an immune response against cancer.

One of the most remarkable aspects of Bekele’s soap is its affordability.

The cost of producing each bar of this cancer-fighting soap is a mere $0.50 (approximately N382.33), a stark contrast to the exorbitant expenses associated with current medical treatments, which can soar to over $40,000 (approximately N41 million).

The young scientist’s journey began with extensive research into skin cancer and dendritic cells, which are pivotal in protecting the skin by enhancing the immune response.

READ ALSO: Dazzling 18-year-old Boy Who Gained Admission into 27 US Varsities, With Over $4m Scholarships

Source: GISTREEL, ALLSCHOOL

ALLSCHOOL TEAM