Time Magazine has named a 15-year-old boy from Annandale, Virginia, its 2024 Kid of the Year for his groundbreaking work on skin cancer treatment. Heman Bekele, an Ethiopian, is inventing a soap that could transform skin cancer treatment according to media.

“It’s absolutely incredible to think that one day my bar of soap will be able to make a direct impact on somebody else’s life,” Heman told the media. “That’s the reason I started this all in the first place.”

Heman’s innovative soap could offer a more accessible and affordable method for treating skin cancers, including melanoma, according to the media. The soap is still in testing and isn’t commercially available yet. Media reports that it might take a decade for the soap to receive certification from the US Food and Drug Administration.

Heman’s journey began when he was just over seven years old. He mixed various household chemicals, including dish soap and laundry detergent, to create what he called his “potions.” He conducted these experiments at home, hiding the mixtures under his bed to observe any changes.

“They were just dish soap, laundry detergent and common household chemicals,” Heman recalled. “I would hide them under my bed and see what would happen if I left them overnight. There was a lot of mixing together at random.”

Heman’s innovative soap has gained significant recognition. At 14, he was named America’s Top Young Scientist by 3M and Discovery Education, defeating nine other finalists and winning a $25,000 prize.

Heman’s 2024 Kid of the Year award highlights his potential to revolutionize skin cancer treatment, according to media.

“I hope my work inspires other young scientists to pursue their ideas and make a difference,” he said.

Stay tuned.