A Shaunavon native has been awarded the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship.

Adam McInnes grew up in Shaunavon and is now at the U of S in Saskatoon.

He explains his research, "I'm developing a protein-based material t hat I can use to 3D print to try and grow organs in a lab. It's a combination of two different proteins from different sources. And I'm mixing them together and then I'm linking these proteins to one another after I use our 3D printer.  And I want to embed cells within that material so that I can try to grow larger organ tissues."

Doctor McInnes says his research should most benefit people looking for kidney and liver transplants, which are the most needed.

The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship gives out a maximum of about 166 per year. Six people were nominated at the U of S with McInnes winning the prize of $150,000 over three years.