Welcome to the Evolving Man Project’s ‘Evolved “Young” Men of the Week’ profile. Today, we will highlight historical and contemporary figures who embodied what it means to be an evolved man, famous and non-famous alike. The world needs to know their stories and deeds. This week’s honor goes to the teenager from Arlington, Virginia, by way of Ethiopia and 14-year-old whiz kid Heman Bekele.
The middle-school teen was named “America’s top young scientist” after developing a bar of soap that could be useful in the treatment of melanoma, a skin cancer that is diagnosed in about 100,000 people in the US each year and kills approximately 8,000
He pitched his idea for a soap – the “skin cancer treating soap” – made from compounds that could reactivate dendritic cells that guard human skin, enabling them to fight cancer cells. In a video for the 3M Young Scientist Challenge, Bekele said he believed “that young minds can make a positive impact on the world.”
Bekele’s idea came from living in Ethiopia to the age of four where, he told the Washington Post, he had seen people constantly working under the hot sun: “I wanted to make my idea something that not only was great in terms of science but also could be accessible to as many people as possible.”
His mentor at 3M, Deborah Isabelle, described the teen to the outlet as “focused on making the world a better place for people he hasn’t met yet.”
Here is Heman Bekele in his own words about his future and where he sees himself in fifteen years:
“A successful electrical engineer who has contributed significantly to the industry. I envision myself leading a team of professionals in developing innovative electrical systems that will shape the future of technology. Alongside my professional success, I hope to have a fulfilling personal life with a loving family and a strong network of friends. I also hope to have given back to my community by mentoring aspiring engineers and supporting initiatives that promote STEM education. Ultimately, in 15 years, I hope to have made a positive impact on the world through my work and personal endeavors.“
We at the Evolving Man Project wish Mario Hoover all his continued success and hope he continues to inspire others. Today, we honor Heman Bekele as our Evolved “Young” Man of the Week.
Evolving Folks Project 