Julian Olden is an ecologist exploring the structure and function of freshwater ecosystems in response to environmental change. His research spans the fields of conservation biology, biogeography, invasion ecology and biostatistics. Undergirding all of this is a vision of a world where people understand, value, and conserve freshwater biodiversity, despite humans increasing reliance on vital aquatic resources. Ultimately, he seeks to integrate science-based approaches with on-the-ground management decisions, and actively engages in science communication and citizen science. He received the Outstanding Researcher Award from the UW College of the Environment, the 2010 Early Career Conservationist Award from the Society for Conservation Biology, and is currently an Ecological Society of America Early Career Fellow and an Aldo Leopold Leadership Fellow.