14-year-old named America’s Top Young Scientist for development of skin cancer treatment wins 3M Young Scientist Challenge
12 October 2023: 3M named Heman Bekele, a 9th grader at W.T. Woodson High School in Annandale, VA, USA, the winner of 2023 3M Young Scientist Challenge, the nation’s premier middle school science competition. Heman set himself apart with his compound-based Skin Cancer Treating Soap (SCTS). As the grand prize winner, he will receive a $25,000 cash prize and the prestigious title of “America’s Top Young Scientist.”
Heman spent the last four months competing against nine other finalists and secured his win during final Challenge events at 3M Global Headquarters on October 9 and 10. Finalists navigated a series of interactive challenges and were evaluated on their ingenuity and innovative thinking, application of STEM principles, demonstration of passion and research, presentation skills.
“Need for scientists and innovators to develop solutions for the world’s biggest challenges has never been greater. This year’s Young Scientist Challenge finalists have demonstrated the skills required to reimagine what’s possible – intelligence, curiosity, collaboration and resilience,” said John Banovetz, 3M Executive Vice President, Chief Technology Officer and Environmental Responsibility.
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in USA, with an average annual treatment cost of $8.1 billion. Inspired by this costly and widespread health issue, Heman developed an affordable soap solution that could positively impact skin cancer outcomes. Over the next five years, he hopes to refine this novel innovation and create a nonprofit organization that will distribute this low-cost solution to communities in need.
The second and third place winners from the Young Scientist Challenge each receive a $2,000 prize. These exceptional students are:
– In second place, Shripriya Kalbhavi from San Jose, CA, USA, a 9th grader at Lynbrook High School. Shripriya developed EasyBZ, a cost-effective microneedle patch that allows for self-automated drug delivery without pills or needles.
– In third place, Sarah Wang from Andover, MA, USA, a 7th grader at The Pike School. Sarah developed the Spring Epilepsy Detection Glove, a glove that can detect tonic-clonic and myoclonic epileptic seizures with common hand movements and tracks seizure statistics through a smart phone application.
The fourth through tenth place winners each receive a $1,000 prize and a $500 gift card. These finalists, in alphabetical order by last name, are:
– Anisha Dhoot from Portland, OR, USA, a 9th grader at Westview High School in Beaverton School District
– Ishaan Iyer from Rancho Cucamonga, CA, USA, a 6th grader at Day Creek Intermediate School in Etiwanda School District
– Sean Jiang from Baltimore, MD, USA, a 9th grader at Gilman School, Independent/Private
– Annie Katz from New Rochelle, NY, USA, a 9th grader at Leffell School in Greenburgh School District
– Anish Kosaraju from Saratoga, CA, USA, a 9th grader at The Harker School in Campbell Union School District
– Adhip Maitra from Oviedo, FL, USA, a 9th grader at Oviedo High School in Seminole County School District
– Shruti Sivaraman from Austin, TX, USA, an 8th grader at Canyon Vista Middle School in Round Rock Independent School District
“Over the past 16 years, we’ve had the honor of enabling innovative students to turn their ideas into world-changing solutions through the 3M Young Scientist Challenge,” said Amy Nakamoto, Executive Vice President of Social Impact at Discovery Education.
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