Donald “DJ” Holden is an undergraduate research assistant co-supervised by Dr. Joshua Woods and Dr. Matthew Pan during the summer of 2025. He is currently a third-year student in the Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering program at Queen’s University. His research project involves developing a robotic system that integrates a manipulator and mobile platform to install large screws into prefabricated mass timber components—contributing to emerging solutions in robotic construction.

DJ’s broader research interests include construction robotics, space exploration and infrastructure, autonomous vehicles and mobile robots, and human-robot interaction. He has received several academic distinctions, including the Principal’s Scholarship (2022), Dean’s Scholar designation (2024) and the H. Arnold Cowan Scholarship (2024).

Outside the lab, DJ served as the Team Captain of the Queen’s AutoDrive Team from June 2024 to June 2025. In his spare time, he enjoys playing soccer, watching classic films, and holds a first-degree black belt in Taekwondo.