Lynn Baxendale-Cox, an alumna and former professor and researcher at the School of Nursing, died Aug. 21 of cancer at age 44.

Baxendale-Cox received a bachelor of arts degree in biology from the State University of New York and a doctorate in physiology from the University of Indiana School of Medicine, followed by postdoctoral work at Boston University and the University of Illinois. In the late 1980s, she came to Johns Hopkins, where she obtained a bachelor of science degree from the School of Nursing. She was an assistant professor and researcher at the school until 1999.

"In her capacity as a faculty member at the School of Nursing, Dr. Baxendale-Cox effectively combined her love of teaching with the development of a research program that included collaborations at the School of Medicine," said Gerda E. Breitwieser, associate professor of physiology at the School of Medicine.

In 1999, Baxendale-Cox became director of the Kennedy Krieger Institute's Carter Center, which researches a neurological birth defect called holoprosencephaly. At Kennedy Krieger, she was able to combine her experience as a researcher with her desire to be involved in patient advocacy.

"Dr. Baxendale-Cox was both a distinguished scientist and a leader in nursing," said Sue K. Donaldson, dean of the School of Nursing. "She used her considerable expertise and passion for teaching to help develop educational programs at the School of Nursing, as well as to prepare students to be scholars in nursing. The School of Nursing is indebted to her and proud to have her as an alumna."

A scholarship for graduate nursing students has been established in memory of Baxendale-Cox, and gifts can be made payable to The Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing and mailed to the school at 525 N. Wolfe St., Room 529, Baltimore, MD 21205.

Baxendale-Cox's survivors include her husband, Ronald Boyd Cox; a son, Austin Charles Cox; and two daughters, Kristie Lynn Cox and Summer Rose Cox.