Marissa Lynn Horton

Marissa is excited to step into the role of PPSC President this year as she enters her third year in Columbia's Postbac Premed Program. After serving as Senior Vice President last year, she is enthusiastic about building upon the work of the previous Board and continuing to strengthen the PPSC's impact. She is passionate about fostering a strong sense of community and supporting her fellow classmates throughout their time at Columbia and beyond.

Before beginning her journey toward medicine, Marissa retired from a fourteen-year career as a professional dancer. She graduated with a B.F.A. in Dance Performance from the State University of New York at Purchase College, where she was awarded the Dance Faculty Scholarship Award of Excellence. Throughout her career, she toured nationally and internationally with repertoire companies, taught master classes and participated in arts outreach programs, was named one of Dance Magazine's “25 to Watch,” and performed in operas and commercials. Her final bow came on the stage of Radio City Music Hall in the Christmas Spectacular.

Outside of the classroom, Marissa is an intern at Columbia University's Microsurgery Training and Research Laboratory and a social services volunteer at the Columbia Student Medical Outreach Clinic (CoSMO). She also volunteers with Citymeals on Wheels, the Leonard Covello Older Adult Center, and Free Food Harlem. In her limited free time, you can find Marissa lost in a sci-fi novel, bragging about her cats, or planning her next scuba diving adventure.