Brandon Hermoza-Ricci

Brandon Hermoza-Ricci is currently a senior studying Civil Engineering with a minor in Urban and Community Studies at the University of Connecticut’s School of Engineering. He is a research intern at the Innovation and Partnership Building’s Eversource Energy Center. Here Brandon is reviewing the renewable energy goals by the state legislature and analyzing how it would carry over to sourced distribution among solar and wind generation. During his sophomore and junior year Brandon collaborated with other students and faculty on the President’s Working Group for Sustainability and the Environment (PWGSE). This group published two reports co-authored by its members outlining steps UConn can take to reducing its carbon footprint as well as a multiple scenarios outlining how the university can become a zero-carbon campus by 2050. Brandon has also been selected to be one of two student representatives on the Environmental Policy Advisory Council for the 2021-2022 academic year. In his hometown Brandon is the co-chair of his village’s sustainability committee which he was a founding member alongside other environmentally minded residents. Brandon became interested in this program after hearing from fellow students on the PWGSE explain how surreal the experience was. His main purpose in attending COP26 is to learn how world leaders are addressing the intersectionality of climate change and urban areas. Ultimately Brandon’s hopes to achieve a PhD in urban planning so he can contribute to building cities that are sustainable, interacting, enjoyable, and equitably just. During his free time Brandon enjoys playing Squash with the UConn Squash Club and when the winds are right, taking flight with his paraglider.