Big breakthroughs in medicine are often linked to years of formal education, advanced laboratories, and institutions with global influence. However, some of the most meaningful ideas begin in much quieter ways—sparked by curiosity, careful observation, and a genuine desire to improve people’s lives. This is precisely the story of Heman Bekele, the 15-year-old honored as TIME’s 2024 Kid of the Year. His achievement is not driven by abstract theory or prestige, but by a practical and compassionate idea centered on accessibility, affordability, and prevention. Rather than designing a luxury product or a sophisticated medical device, Heman focused on something simple, familiar, and universally used in everyday life.

At the heart of Heman’s work is a medicated bar of soap intended to help treat—and potentially prevent—early-stage skin cancer. Although the science behind the concept draws on immunology and nanotechnology, the motivation itself is deeply human. Existing skin cancer treatments can be highly effective, yet they are often expensive, complex, and inaccessible to large portions of the global population. Heman’s goal has always been to remove as many barriers to care as possible, particularly for communities that lack access to advanced medical resources. This balance between scientific innovation and social responsibility is what makes his story resonate far beyond classrooms, laboratories, and science fairs.

Early Curiosity That Refused to Stay Small

Heman’s fascination with science began long before recognition, awards, or formal research environments entered his life. As a young child, he spent countless hours experimenting with whatever materials he could find at home, guided purely by curiosity rather than a defined objective. Reflecting on those early experiments, he once explained, “They were just dish soap, laundry detergent, and common household chemicals. I would hide them under my bed and see what would happen if I left them overnight. There was a lot of mixing together completely at random.” While unstructured and imperfect, these early trials helped him develop a natural understanding of observation, trial and error, and cause-and-effect relationships.

As he grew older, his curiosity began to take on more direction and purpose. A chemistry set introduced him to substances such as sodium hydroxide, while online research allowed him to explore how different chemicals interact at a deeper level. One experiment involving aluminum and sodium hydroxide generated intense heat and nearly caused a fire. Looking back, Heman recalled, “I thought that this could be a solution to energy, to making an unlimited supply. But I almost started a fire.” The incident became a turning point, prompting his parents to place closer supervision on his experiments.

Rather than limiting his passion, these new boundaries helped him mature as a young scientist. He began to understand the importance of safety, responsibility, and ethical decision-making—principles that are essential in real-world scientific research. Learning from mistakes, he developed discipline alongside creativity, realizing that innovation must be paired with caution and accountability. These early lessons ultimately shaped how he approached more serious scientific challenges later on, laying the groundwork for the thoughtful and impact-driven work that would eventually earn him international recognition.