Award Recognition
Columbia Spirit
From Elmont, N.Y., Sebastian Horta Donneys SEAS’26 is a computer science major with a minor in electrical engineering, and the son of Colombian immigrants. As a proud Latino and FGLI student, Horta’s journey to engineering started with his dad, who worked with computer parts. Watching him is what drew Horta to technology, and when his dad passed away in 2021, that curiosity became something deeper and more personal. Music has also been central to Horta’s life, whether he’s listening, dancing, or playing guitar, and that love for rhythm and culture led Horta to Sabor and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, both of which shaped his time at Columbia in meaningful ways. Horta also stays active through weightlifting and Brazilian jiu-jitsu with Columbia University Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club, and he’s always building something through coding. Horta is especially passionate about biotech and hopes to create technology that genuinely improves people's lives, while sharing his journey along the way. More than anything, Horta is driven by a desire to keep growing, honor where he comes from, and uplift the people around him.
“Thank you to my family, friends and mentors for always believing in me. To Christian, Paola, and Stephanie, thank you for being my foundation and pushing me to be better. I'm forever grateful to my parents for everything they've sacrificed to give us these opportunities. Gracias a mi familia, especialmente a mi mamá por su apoyo constante, no estaría aquí sin ella. Y a mi papá, que me acompaña y me cuida desde el cielo. Los amo por siempre.”