Emma McBride Air Quality Research
Evaluating Campus Air Quality for a Healthier Future
Loyola senior Emma McBride is conducting research that showcases her commitment to addressing critical environmental concerns. She is evaluating campus air quality to benefit students, faculty, staff, and the surrounding community.
Senior Emma McBride is studying air quality on Loyola's campuses.
Emma is pursuing dual degrees in environmental science and computer science. She received funding for her research for her interdisciplinary investigation through the Carbon Undergraduate Research Fellowship program. Loyola offers several such programs to support promising undergraduate researchers, and the Carbon Fellowship is among the most competitive.
Zach Waickman, MBA, and Ping Jing, PhD, in the School of Environmental Sustainability (SES), and William Honig, PhD, in the Department of Computer Science, serve as Emma's mentors. They advise her on the project and help her develop skills that will equip her to become an independent researcher. These mentors have played a pivotal role in shaping her research trajectory and provided invaluable guidance to take the first steps toward improving campus air quality.
The central focus of Emma's project is to evaluate the air quality at Loyola University and in the surrounding areas. This issue is paramount for the well-being of students and the community neighboring Loyola. Air quality is not merely an environmental concern but a fundamental determinant of public health and the quality of life in urban environments. Emma's work addresses this critical issue through a comprehensive study that touches on multiple facets of air quality.
Student researchers like Emma McBride help advance environmental sustainability on campus.
One of the project's essential components involves deploying air quality sensors across Loyola's Lakeshore and Water Tower campuses. These sensors continuously monitor air quality parameters, enabling researchers to collect data and gain insights into the levels of pollutants, including PM2.5—fine particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers. These microscopic particles can enter the lungs and the bloodstream, posing significant health risks. The real-time monitoring allows for timely interventions and a better understanding of air quality trends.
Student volunteers also play a crucial role in the research by carrying portable air quality sensors throughout the day. This distributed approach helps capture air quality variations across different locations, times of the day, and activities.
Air quality sensors continuously monitor pollutant levels on campus.
In addition to monitoring air quality within campus boundaries, Emma and her team have taken a more complete approach by extending their study to Loyola's intercampus shuttle system. Recognizing that many students rely on these shuttles for their daily commute between the Lakeshore and Water Tower campuses, Emma collaborated with Zach Waickman and the SES Biodiesel Lab to assess PM2.5 exposure related to this primary mode of transport. Integrating transportation-related air quality data is an innovative step toward understanding students' overall exposure to air pollution.
Emma's research will provide a greater understanding of pollution sources and the distribution of harmful pollutants. This knowledge will make it possible to identify opportunities to take action to improve air quality and reduce exposure to unhealthy air.
Emma's project is a fantastic example of how undergraduate research can make a difference in environmental issues. Her dedication shows the positive change and innovation that Loyola and SES encourage and support. In her senior year, Emma is leaving a mark that could benefit her fellow students and the broader community for a long time.
- Story and photos by Jorge Haddad
Emma is pursuing dual degrees in environmental science and computer science. She received funding for her research for her interdisciplinary investigation through the Carbon Undergraduate Research Fellowship program. Loyola offers several such programs to support promising undergraduate researchers, and the Carbon Fellowship is among the most competitive.
Zach Waickman, MBA, and Ping Jing, PhD, in the School of Environmental Sustainability (SES), and William Honig, PhD, in the Department of Computer Science, serve as Emma's mentors. They advise her on the project and help her develop skills that will equip her to become an independent researcher. These mentors have played a pivotal role in shaping her research trajectory and provided invaluable guidance to take the first steps toward improving campus air quality.
The central focus of Emma's project is to evaluate the air quality at Loyola University and in the surrounding areas. This issue is paramount for the well-being of students and the community neighboring Loyola. Air quality is not merely an environmental concern but a fundamental determinant of public health and the quality of life in urban environments. Emma's work addresses this critical issue through a comprehensive study that touches on multiple facets of air quality.
One of the project's essential components involves deploying air quality sensors across Loyola's Lakeshore and Water Tower campuses. These sensors continuously monitor air quality parameters, enabling researchers to collect data and gain insights into the levels of pollutants, including PM2.5—fine particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers. These microscopic particles can enter the lungs and the bloodstream, posing significant health risks. The real-time monitoring allows for timely interventions and a better understanding of air quality trends.
Student volunteers also play a crucial role in the research by carrying portable air quality sensors throughout the day. This distributed approach helps capture air quality variations across different locations, times of the day, and activities.
In addition to monitoring air quality within campus boundaries, Emma and her team have taken a more complete approach by extending their study to Loyola's intercampus shuttle system. Recognizing that many students rely on these shuttles for their daily commute between the Lakeshore and Water Tower campuses, Emma collaborated with Zach Waickman and the SES Biodiesel Lab to assess PM2.5 exposure related to this primary mode of transport. Integrating transportation-related air quality data is an innovative step toward understanding students' overall exposure to air pollution.
Emma's research will provide a greater understanding of pollution sources and the distribution of harmful pollutants. This knowledge will make it possible to identify opportunities to take action to improve air quality and reduce exposure to unhealthy air.
Emma's project is a fantastic example of how undergraduate research can make a difference in environmental issues. Her dedication shows the positive change and innovation that Loyola and SES encourage and support. In her senior year, Emma is leaving a mark that could benefit her fellow students and the broader community for a long time.
- Story and photos by Jorge Haddad