Dr. Hemza Azri is currently a senior lecturer at the Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malay. He gained his PhD in Physics from Izmir Institute of Technology, Turkey, in 2018. His research interests lie broadly in gravitational physics, with a focus on the theoretical and experimental aspects of General Relativity (GR) and alternative theories of gravity. In parallel, he is interested in the interplay between cosmology and particle physics, exploring how physics at high energies or small scales shape what we observe in cosmology.

A significant part of his work involves formulating and analyzing alternative theories of gravity and studying their physical predictions. This includes models for the early universe—most notably inflation, the rapid expansion phase believed to have occurred shortly after the Big Bang. By examining how these alternative frameworks modify or extend standard cosmology, his research aims to identify observational signatures that could test or constrain departures from GR.

In parallel, his work covers topics related to strong-field gravitational phenomena, namely the physics of black holes and neutron stars, with the broader goal of assessing the validity and limits of GR. Through this combination of theoretical development and phenomenological analysis, his research contributes to the ongoing effort to understand gravity across cosmological, astrophysical, and particle-physics scales.

Over the course of his academic career, he has visited leading research institutions, including the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) in Trieste, Italy; Nordita in Stockholm, Sweden; and the Instituto de Física Teórica (IFT) in Madrid, Spain. He has also contributed as a theorist to the UAE–ATLAS (CERN) collaboration.

Alongside his research activities, he has developed a strong profile as a teacher of physics. In his lectures, he places particular emphasis on clarity and logical structure, using well-chosen examples to guide students through challenging material and to encourage genuine understanding rather than rote learning. His commitment to effective communication also extends beyond the classroom: he is capable of presenting advanced physical ideas in a way that is accessible to non-specialists. By presenting complex ideas in clear and accessible language, he helps a wider audience understand and appreciate physics and engage with science.