Kyle,
I think it is a great idea. I also know that it is a lot of work and won't be easy, but that's what makes it worthwhile. There is no reason you couldn't put together a study and recruit a group of willing people to particpate and then publish the results yourself. It would make a great Master's Thesis. There would be a lot to do in setting up the rules, what parameters to measure, protocol for taking the measurements, and determining how to assure that the participants are not cheating etc, etc.
Even if you didn't publish, the knowledge gained could be great foundation for starting your own business on diet and performance consulting.
One thing I've learned in my 58 years is that many lay people are as intelligent or even more so than the folks with the fancy titles, and much of what we do is more meaningful.
Go for it!
Lex