Combining Science and History for a Unique Kind of Podcast

Written by Stephanie Gordon

Brynna Quarles, ’10, didn’t consider herself a “podcast person” until her sister, Maggie, suggested they start their own. Brynna, a chemist, history enthusiast, and professor at the University of North Georgia, and Maggie, a mathematician, created BA in Science, a weekly podcast focusing on notable scientists who made big moves.

With two seasons underway, the duo covers heroes, villains, revolutionaries, and trailblazers in the science world. Brynna, combining her love for history and chemistry, has enjoyed bringing her passion to the internet airwaves.

“A student of mine suggested I listen to a science podcast, and I had not been a podcast person,” said Brynna. “So, I started listening to this podcast, and I told my sister about it. Out of the blue, Maggie messaged me and said we should have our own podcast.” 

The sisters brainstormed about their potential podcast content. Brynna realized most students learn about scientists and their discoveries, but nothing beyond that since students and professors are generally focused on what the science actually is.

“I started looking up these scientists outside of what they’re known for, and I started to see their fascinating lives and all the things they went through,” Brynna said. “In my biochem class, my students would laugh and joke that my history lectures were the best because I would detour into some of the history and biographies of these people.”

That’s when the sisters realized what the podcast would be about. The duo decided they would talk about intriguing scientists who did really fascinating things.

“I love doing research for the podcast because it’s interesting to me to see who these people were and how they lived,” said Brynna. “We like to be able to address the time period, the history, and the important things happening at the time. And then we talk about what they did for science or math and the contributions they made.”

Brynna went on to explain that it was Science 101 with Dr. Mark Nussbaum that really inspired her to change her major, and her advisor, Dr. Chris VanOrman, had the greatest impact on her. 

“I was a chemistry major, but I actually came to Hillsdale to be a history major,” Brynna said. “I switched my major my freshman year, and I took several history classes even though I was a chemistry major. I also had to take general chemistry with Dr. VanOrman for six weeks in the summer to catch up with my new major. You get to know someone really well when you see them every day for eight hours a day for six weeks.”

Because Brynna was required to do undergraduate research, she went to Clemson University in South Carolina between her junior and senior year. She loved her experience at Clemson, and went on to complete her Ph.D. at Clemson in three years after graduating from Hillsdale. She is currently married with two children and lives in the Atlanta, Georgia, area.

BA in Science, now in its second season, will take a break until early spring to regroup and research. Brynna explained that the goal of BA in Science is to make the listeners aware of the amazing people that have made these great contributions. 

“Most people have heard of Galileo,” Brynna said. “But if you ask what he actually did, most cannot tell you. BA in Science brings an awareness of culturally how we got here and how science has changed history over the centuries.” 

And for current Hillsdale students, Brynna stressed to study something you love. 

“Don’t be afraid to change course if you find something that you’re very passionate about,” Brynna said. “I still loved history even though I changed my major. But I found my passion with chemistry and it’s taken me pretty far.” 

Give the podcast a listen here.


Stephanie Gordon, a lifelong Hillsdale native, is the Managing Editor of the Student Stories Blog. She is married to chiropractor, Dr. Matt Gordon, and has three children – Eloise, Flora, and Jack. When she has a spare moment, she enjoys paleo baking, floating on Baw Beese Lake, and breaking a sweat at the gym.


Published in November 2021