Sci3nc3Fr3ak

I have come up with a hypothesis around which I was going to write my thesis as a student. At this time, I am unable to continue school due to financial restraints. I recently read about another, very well established scientist testing hypotheses in the same field as mine and how he is running into problem after problem. I would like to contact him and share my ideas and possibly look for collaboration in testing my ideas but am unsure of how to do so whilst protecting my intellectual property from potentially being stolen. Any advice on how to do so would be very much welcomed. Thank you for your time and I look forward to reading your suggestions.