WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Before she could legally drive a car, Nicole Ali and her stem cell research put scientists on the road to help bone marrow transplant patients. And before she can legally vote, Ali, 17, of Mendota Heights, got one-on-one face time with three of Minnesota's members of Congress on Wednesday.

The Minnesota teen who turned heads with her unconventional umbilical cord stem cell research at the University of Minnesota visited Washington, D.C., to accept a $50,000 scholarship for her work.

During her sophomore year at St. Paul Academy, Ali won a Minnesota Academy of Science research grant and the opportunity to work with a scientist. She chose stem cell researcher Catherine Verfaillie after reading about the University of Minnesota scientist's work in local papers.

Ali, who was only 14 when she began working at the university, said she pitched Verfaillie the idea for her research: Take umbilical cord stem cells, block the protein that causes the cells to break down and make the cells reproduce instead. Scientists have been trying to replicate the teen's research, which could eventually help leukemia patients, according to the foundation that awarded Ali's scholarship.

Ali said she hopes to see results in November from her research on laboratory mice. After that, she might conduct the tests with larger animals or humans, she said.

During her trip to Washington, Ali met with Minnesota Sens. Mark Dayton and Norm Coleman and Rep. Betty McCollum.

"She is an extraordinarily talented young woman," Dayton said. "I am delighted that she will be able to continue her learning and research."

Ali, who recently started her freshman year at Harvard University, is one of 16 students nationwide to be chosen by the Davidson Institute for Talent Development and awarded the scholarship money. The nonprofit foundation, based in Reno, Nev., awards scholarships to students under 18 in six categories, including science, music and philosophy. Ali is the first Minnesotan to be selected as a Davidson fellow, said Marie Capurro, director of the Davidson Institute.

Ali's parents, Zaki and Mahfuza Ali, both work as scientists, and their talk of science and research at the dinner table piqued their daughter's interest at an early age, said Zaki, her father. She has always been inquisitive and developed a voracious reading habit that includes dense scientific journals lying around the house, he said.

Ali decided to have a little fun in her first college semester -- she joined student clubs where she can learn kung fu and how to play ultimate Frisbee. Next semester she'll work at Harvard's stem cell research facility, she said.

Ali also is continuing her interest in music by writing the sound track to a student movie that she describes as a "really college-y, artsy film." The accomplished pianist and violinist has also performed the National Anthem on violin at Twins games.

Keeping her schedule straight and excelling at her work is tough, but Ali said she focuses on completing one task at a time. She also heeds the words of Yoda, the philosophizing Jedi master from the "Star Wars" movies. "Do or do not. There is no try," Ali said, laughing.