Teen wins top young scientist prize for creating cancer-treating soap at just 14

In a small town in Virginia, a 14-year-old boy named Heman Beleke has made a groundbreaking discovery that could help people with cancer. He may be young, but his idea is truly remarkable. Heman has created a soap specifically designed to treat cancer.

Imagine this: while most kids his age are focused on school and socializing, Heman immersed himself in the world of science. He didn’t just do it for a school project; he turned his passion into a winning entry for the prestigious 3M Young Scientist Challenge. And the best part? He hadn’t even entered high school yet when he began this incredible journey!

After competing against nine other brilliant young minds, Heman emerged as the winner of the top prize – a whopping $25,000! But the real achievement is that the scientific community is taking notice of his astonishing work.

So, what exactly did Heman create? Using special ingredients like salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and tretinoin, he formulated a soap that goes beyond ordinary cleansing. These ingredients have unique properties that can help the skin combat cancer. In fact, his soap is called M.T.S., which stands for “melanoma treating soap.” It specifically targets melanoma, a type of skin cancer.

What’s even more impressive is that Heman’s soap is incredibly affordable to produce, costing just about 50 cents per bar. This means that anyone, regardless of their financial situation, can have access to this potentially life-saving product.

When asked about his achievement, Heman described the whole experience as mind-blowing. He admitted that creating the first version of the soap was the most challenging part. But he’s not stopping there. Heman aspires to become an electrical engineer and lead a team to develop new technologies that can make a difference.

Heman’s story is truly inspirational. It reminds us that age is just a number when it comes to innovation and making a positive impact. So, why not share his story with your friends? It might just inspire another young inventor to start their own incredible journey.

Heman Beleke, the young scientist
Heman with his award-winning invention