I see you are just a random developer guy, so I would recommend you talk to your friend more. Then, improve your skillset in the sciences, so that you may outsmart him/her and put whatever resources they possess to better use.
Sun Tzu's philosophy of "taking whole", of carefully manipulating your opponent into aligning their goals with yours, is the best strategy that I can come up with. But, because of the communication barrier between us, I am unsure of how to apply it.