14-year-old boy invents soap that cures cancer, wins award as America’s youngest scientist
Heman developed Melanoma Treating Soap, a compound-based bar of soap designed to treat skin cancer. The Skin Cancer Treating Soap (SCTS) final product was made available at a cheap $0.50 per bar of soap.
okpe chinenye 
Herman Bekele, a remarkable 14-year-old African-American boy, has taken the scientific world by storm with his groundbreaking invention—a soap that effectively treats skin cancer. His extraordinary achievement earned him the distinction of being recognized as America's youngest scientist, a title that comes with profound significance.
Herman Bekele, currently a ninth-grade student at W.T. Woodson High School in Annandale, was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and moved to the United States at the age of four. Recently, he emerged as the winner of the 2023 3M Young Scientist Challenge. This competition, aimed at middle school students in the United States, is administered by Discovery Education and 3M, providing a platform for young minds to showcase their prowess in science and engineering.
Herman's triumph goes beyond the accolade of being America's youngest scientist; he made history as the first Black scientist to receive this prestigious honor. In recognition of his exceptional accomplishment, he was awarded a $25,000 cash prize and bestowed with the coveted title of "America's Top Young Scientist."
Reflecting on his remarkable journey, Herman shared his gratitude and awe, stating, "It’s incredible and it’s definitely a once-in-a-lifetime type of opportunity and something that I’ll never forget. It’s definitely gonna stay with me forever, but I’m still taking it all in."
Herman's groundbreaking invention, the Melanoma Treating Soap, is a compound-based bar of soap designed to combat skin cancer. The Skin Cancer Treating Soap (SCTS) has been developed to be highly affordable, priced at just $0.50 per bar.
In explaining his motivation, Herman mentioned the critical issue of skin cancer treatment, particularly in third-world countries, where access to expensive treatments is often limited. He felt compelled to create a solution, which ultimately led to the development of the Skin Cancer Treating Soap. Herman's dedication and innovation are evident in the final product.
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His mother, Muluemebet Getachew, who also serves as his special education teacher, described Herman as a self-driven individual who began exploring science at a young age. She is immensely proud of his accomplishments.
Looking forward, Herman has ambitious goals. Over the next five years, he aspires to refine his innovation and establish a nonprofit organization dedicated to distributing this cost-effective solution to underserved communities in need. He elaborated on the soap's mechanism, explaining that it is designed to promote internal healing, ultimately resulting in the gradual fading of skin cancer.
In a broader outlook, Herman envisions himself as a successful electrical engineer in fifteen years. His aspirations extend to making significant contributions to the industry while fostering a fulfilling personal life with a loving family and a strong network of friends. Herman Bekele's achievements stand as a testament to the remarkable potential of young scientists and innovators, inspiring hope and change for the future.
