Masochist:
n.
1. Someone who is willing and tends to subject oneself to unpleasant or trying experiences.
This is more plausible than the greek guy with the Italian gizmo.
When you have reputable scientists willing to risk their reputations on what has heretofore been a career killer—then you know game is afoot.
I think the work of the dense plasma fusion scientists is closer to the mark—just judging by their degrees and pedigrees.