Erin Muriungi '26 and Emma Allen '26 Turn Research into Action on Dallas Air Quality
January 21, 2026
This past summer, seniors Erin Muriungi ’26 and Emma Allen ’26 co-founded the Dallas Air Project, a nonprofit initiative focused on improving air quality in the Dallas community by encouraging alternatives to personal vehicle use. Through research, advocacy, and community partnership, their work demonstrates how student-led initiatives can create meaningful local impact.
The Dallas Air Project came to life when Erin and Emma set out to address an environmental issue at a scale where they could realistically make a difference. After researching a range of environmental challenges affecting North Texas, they identified air pollution as a pressing concern—one with direct implications for public health and quality of life in Dallas.
As they dug deeper, Erin and Emma found that personal vehicle use significantly contributes to local air pollution. Rather than approaching the problem abstractly, they focused on a solution that was both practical and sustainable: increasing awareness and use of public transportation.
To share their findings and educate the broader community, Erin and Emma designed and launched a website highlighting their research on air pollution and transportation alternatives. The site served as both an informational resource and a platform for advocacy, allowing them to clearly communicate the problem and potential solutions to a wide audience.
Their research also led them to the McKinney Transit Authority (M-Line Trolley), a nonprofit organization that promotes public transportation and relies on community support to operate. After pitching their nonprofit and vision, the McKinney Transit Authority agreed to collaborate with the Dallas Air Project, marking a major milestone for the student-led initiative.
As part of their partnership with M-Line, Erin and Emma focused on expanding the organization’s outreach. They designed social media content for M-Line to share across its platforms, helping raise awareness of the trolley system and its role in promoting sustainable transportation.
Beyond digital advocacy, Erin and Emma led in-person community outreach and fundraising efforts. They designed posters featuring QR codes linked to donation and information pages and posted them throughout Klyde Warren Park. On their weekends, they engaged directly with park visitors, explaining the mission of M-Line and encouraging community members to support the cause.
They also ensured that people within their immediate circles were informed and involved, sending outreach emails to family and friends and encouraging donations to support the continued operation of the trolley system.
The Dallas Air Project continues to serve as an example of how student-driven research and advocacy can contribute to broader community efforts. Erin and Emma’s work highlights the impact ESD students can have when classroom learning extends beyond campus and into the wider Dallas community.
