We are passionate about the advancement of science. As Ph.D. researchers in Vienna, we found it difficult to access the scholarly research we needed. We created IntechOpen with the specific aim of putting the academic needs of the global research community before the business interests of publishers. Our Team is now a global one and includes highly-renowned scientists and publishers, as well as experts in disseminating your research.
Alex Lazinica, Co-founder of IntechOpen
The IntechOpen team culture reflects the values that we bring to our publishing. And one thing we have in common is - we are all scientists at heart!
Alex Lazinica, Co-founder and Chair of the board
Dr Alex Lazinica is co-founder and Chair of the board of IntechOpen. He followed a Master's in Mechanical Engineering with a PhD in Robotics at the Vienna University of Technology, where he worked as a robotics researcher with the university's Intelligent Manufacturing Systems Group. He has been a guest researcher at various European universities, including the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL). He has published more than 20 scientific papers, been a reviewer for robotic journals and presented conferences. He co-founded and built the International Journal of Advanced Robotic Systems, the world's first Open Access journal in robotics. This was a pivotal point in his career, leading to his establishing IntechOpen, an organisation focused on addressing academic researchers' needs. Alex personifies IntechOpen's core values; the commitment to developing mutual trust, openness, and a spirit of entrepreneurialism. Today, he focuses on defining the company's growth and development strategy.
Sara Uhac, Chief Executive Officer
Dr Sara Uhac was appointed CEO of IntechOpen in 2021 after serving as COO of the Company since 2019. Sara joined IntechOpen in 2010 as Head of Journal Publishing with the responsibility to build the department and expand the portfolio through the launch of new titles and the relaunch of existing journals. She became Managing Director at the beginning of 2014. She holds a BA in Financial Market Management from the Bocconi University in Milan, an MA in Media Management from the University of Lugano in Switzerland and a PhD in Communication Sciences. Sara was awarded a professional degree in publishing from Yale University.
Under Sara’s mandates, IntechOpen achieved the status of the world’s leading publisher of OA books, became a member of leading industry associations and initiatives (COPE, STM, ALPSP, UN Publishers Compact) and she led the successful exit when the portfolio of journals has been acquired by SAGE Publications. Sara is steering the company towards sustainability, integrity, and Open Science, continuing and expanding IntechOpen’s fundamental commitments.
Adrian Assad De Marco, Chief Analytics & Planning Officer
Adrian Assad De Marco joined the company in 2017 as Director of the operations unit at IntechOpen. Building on extensive experience working for regional and global leaders, he took on the direction and control of the company's publishing processes. In his current role as Chief Analytics & Planning Officer Adrian manages planning, performance and analytics. Adrian holds a degree in Economy and Management from the University of Zagreb, School of Economics, Croatia. A former sportsman, he continually strives to develop his skills through professional courses and specialisations.
Ivo Mataija, Chief Technology Officer
Ivo Mataija joined the company as CTO in 2022. He oversees the IT department and integrates business needs and requirements into IT planning and operations. He brings years of experience designing and developing complex information systems and managing various IT projects. His role is to lead developing and implementing the company's vision for digital transformation, product development strategy and R&D initiatives.
Jole Petrov, Chief Financial Officer
Jole Petrov, CFO, manages the company's financial operations and strategy. He oversees the company's investments, capital structure, funding management and long-term financial strategy.
Jelena Marušić, Head of Book Publishing
One of the initial members of the IntechOpen team, Jelena helped launch and develop its unique Open Access book concept and its in-house manuscript tracking system. In 2010, Jelena set up and led the company's Book Publishing Department, helping IntechOpen reach its first milestone of 1000 published books by 2012. Jelena then spent some time building on her MA in Law by focusing on legislative issues in the sciences and arts in the public sector. Following four years as a member of the diplomatic corps in Oslo, Norway, Jelena rejoined IntechOpen in 2022 as Head of Funder Alliance and Strategic Institutional Relations. Her role further developed to Head of Book Publishing.
Natalia Reinić Babić, Head of Journal Publishing and Open Science
Natalia Reinić Babić has worked at IntechOpen since 2010. As a Managing Editor, she was in charge of the expansion and development of IntechOpen's flagship journal - the International Journal of Advanced Robotic Systems- and managing the wider portfolio as Head of the Journal Department. Natalia has initiated projects to strengthen and grow the journal brand. She has worked at IntechOpen's London HQ on strategic projects focused on network expansion. This led to the development of the new, interdisciplinary Open Science journal portfolio launched in May 2022 and Natalia's current role heading up Journal Publishing and Open Science. Natalia holds a Computer Science and English Language & Literature degree and is passionate about Science & Tech.
Viktorija Žgela, Head of Editorial Development
Viktorija Žgela is the Head of Editorial Development at IntechOpen. With over 12 years of experience in scholarly publishing, she has held various roles across both book and journal departments, and led diversity and inclusion initiatives such as IntechOpen's Women in Science project. Her team is responsible for the publishing program, research integrity and legal affairs, publishing and production standards, abstracting and indexing, and scientometrics and bibliometrics. Viktorija actively contributes to the development of new products across the IntechOpen portfolio. She was recently appointed to lead the company's commitment to the United Nations SDG Publishers Compacts.
Jelena Čevizović, Head of Logistics and Print
Jelena Čevizović joined IntechOpen in 2010 as Head of Logistics and Print Sales. She oversees the printing, logistics, and sales processes and contributes to the global sales strategy for IntechOpen's print books. In 2011, she successfully introduced the print-on-demand option (POD) and built partnerships with leading global suppliers over the years. Jelena is actively involved in efficiency improvement, sustainability and cost optimization projects. Jelena has a degree in logistics from Jönköping University, Sweden, where she also played as a professional handball player at a national level.