yes he's still plugging away
I just spoke with him about it last week. As you say he's persistent and is now getting very interested in New Horizons, although Cassini data obviously occupies him mostly.
I'm not able to evaluate his work but can say this, he's not particularly weird although may appear eccentric to some young people who are utter novices compared to him. Actually he's pretty easy to get along with. I'd say he's just very preoccupied and ambitious.