Changemaker in Rare: Jeremy E. Lankford, M.D.
To truly understand the intricacies of a rare disease, it takes a rare type of doctor. Get to know the specialists who are at the forefront of rare disease research with our series, Changemakers in Rare.
Dr. Jeremy E. Lankford, neurólogo pediátrico
At only four years old, Jeremy Lankford already knew that he wanted to be a neurologist. Today, that dream has come true, but what makes that reality even sweeter for the now-veteran physician is that his expertise is focused on improving the lives of kids just like that young version of himself. Dr. Lankford is the former director of the child neurology residency program at UT Health Houston, where he specializes in pediatric epilepsy. He also treats patients in the child neurology and pediatric epilepsy units at Houston’s nearby Children’s Memorial Hermann. Read on to find out what makes Dr. Lankford especially passionate about pediatric neurology, and what gives him optimism when he looks at the future of rare disease.
Q&A with Jeremy E. Lankford
What led you to pursue your field of study?
Initially, my interest in neurology came from my mom. She had MS, and she tells me that when I was four, I told her that I wanted to be a neurologist when I grew up. Many years later I found out that there was such a thing as pediatric neurology, and it was just a perfect fit. I love being around children, I love helping families, and so child neurology has really been the field I’ve been angling towards my entire life. As far as epilepsy: epilepsy sort of brings in the opportunity for cure in neurology. And a cure is something we don’t get to say a lot in neurology, or in medicine in general. And so being a pediatric neurologist, seeing epilepsy, seeing the opportunity for cure, and seeing my devotion to patients, really there was no other way to go.
What do you find to be the most rewarding part of your work?
I really enjoy working with the patients: the way they look at life, the way they look at their own illnesses, the way they sometimes forget their own limitations—I think that’s really helpful. And the families as well. You know, we see a lot of patients who have been to multiple different centers, who have seen multiple different physicians and either haven’t come up with a diagnosis or don’t have a great plan. Being able to provide something for that family, even if it’s not ultimately a cure or something that we actually want, being able to shepherd in any way, and assist in any way, I think is the most rewarding part.
Where do you see rare disease research going in the next few years?
I think that you’re going to see a real integration of engineering science with medical science. You’ve already seen it in how we evaluate diseases, and I think you’re going to see it a lot more in the management side: how we deliver medications, long-term medications, providing specific mechanical devices that help patients use certain aspects of their body that we thought they couldn’t use anymore. I really do think that engineering is going to be tied in tight with medical advances, and that’s where we’re going to make our biggest steps.
As a former residency director and someone who has been a longtime clinician, you’ve recently moved into research. How do you feel about being in the research arm?
I think research is really just describing to people what you see daily. Our job is to educate as much as possible about what we’re seeing, and what we’re doing, and as we educate, we can actually advance. There are certain aspects as a researcher, as a clinician, that I have a lot of exposure to, but there are some that I don't. And so as much as I can tell others about what I’m doing—maybe I can pique someone else’s interest, or maybe there’s something they can do, and we can come together—and with those collaborations, I think, is where you’re going to see the biggest advances.
Latest From Know Rare
In children, ITP is more often diagnosed during the fall and winter. This pattern suggests that infections or environmental factors, such as viruses or some vaccines, may trigger the immune system to attack platelets. Researchers wondered if the time of year also affected when adults develop ITP.
From prenatal uncertainty and postpartum anxiety to therapy, grief, and hope, a mother shares her experience raising a child with a rare disease, navigating the healthcare system, finding community, and learning to embrace a different—but deeply meaningful—path as a parent.
A Danon disease study, led by researcher Dr. Barry Greenberg and published in the New England Journal of Medicine, wins an award! The study focuses on gene therapy as a potential treatment option for Danon disease. The study showed early signs that gene therapy may help the hearts of people with Danon disease.
A poster, presented at the European Hematology Association meeting in June, described a study that looked at tiredness (fatigue) in adults with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Researchers wanted to see if fatigue was related to bleeding or other health test results.
Lucky Shanmugan was recently featured in Porter Ranch Living, his local magazine, for Father’s Day: in his interview, Lucky talks about Osteogenesis Imperfecta, a rare genetic or heritable disorder of the connective tissue, and the incredible journey towards his official diagnosis.
Here are 9 things Chris Anselmo wishes someone had told him after his rare disease diagnosis.
Las dificultades y la fortaleza de una familia a la hora de buscar respuestas y obtener un diagnóstico para su hijo, tras numerosas pruebas, biopsias cerebrales y hospitalizaciones. Y el alivio, pero también el dolor, al poder finalmente ponerle nombre a la enfermedad rara que afecta a su hijo: el trastorno relacionado con el gen BCL11B.
La Fundación Danon apoya decididamente a las personas que padecen la enfermedad de Danon, proporcionándoles información fiable, recursos y apoyo para ayudarles a afrontar la vida, desde el diagnóstico hasta el tratamiento.
For many families, caregiving for a child with a rare or medically complex condition is a full-time job. The problem is, it’s a job with no training, no time off, and no clear job description. If you’re looking for the light at the end of the tunnel, you don’t have to search alone. Check out some of Paige’s favorite resources.
For most of celiacs, despite months on a strict GF diet, energy stays low and blood work reveals nutrient deficiencies. The lesson? A "gluten-free" label isn't a health guarantee—just a guarantee you'll pay more.
Si te han dicho que padeces NMOSD seronegativa, hay casi un 50 % de probabilidades de que sea otro anticuerpo el que provoque tus síntomas: el anticuerpo MOG.
Therapy Near Me es un servicio de salud mental de ámbito nacional con sede en Australia que facilita el acceso a psicólogos, terapeutas, especialistas en apoyo conductual y trabajadores sociales.
En la edición anual de la «Kidney Week» de la Sociedad Americana de Nefrólogos (ASN), la mayor organización mundial de profesionales sanitarios especializados en nefrología, se presentaron los últimos avances en investigación. Se han invertido más de 35 millones de dólares en investigación con la ASN, y hay numerosos tratamientos en fase de desarrollo para la nefropatía por IgA (IgAN), con investigadores que estudian activamente más de 20 fármacos diferentes.
Cuando me diagnosticaron la enfermedad celíaca, pensé que bastaría con evitar el pan y la pasta. Pronto me di cuenta de que llevar una vida verdaderamente sin gluten es mucho más complicado, y comparto mi experiencia para ayudar a las personas recién diagnosticadas a comprender lo que les espera.
La retinopatía es un problema ocular que padecen muchas personas con la enfermedad de Danon. Puede provocar manchas oscuras en la parte exterior del ojo, visión borrosa o empeoramiento de la visión, y resultados anormales en un examen oftalmológico. A veces, estos cambios oculares aparecen antes que los problemas cardíacos, por lo que un examen oftalmológico puede ayudar a detectar la enfermedad en una fase temprana.
A heartfelt story about a mother who found purpose and strength among the tragedy of losing a child diagnosed with an ultra rare genetic disorder.
Kaya Girl Legacy, Inc. es una organización sin ánimo de lucro con sede en Florida, fundada en memoria de Kaya Humbert, una preciosa niña que nació con el síndrome de insuficiencia de esfingosina fosfato liasa (SPLIS), uno de los 46 casos conocidos en todo el mundo. La fundación se dedica a empoderar a las familias proporcionándoles información sobre su salud genética, así como a promover el acceso temprano a las pruebas genéticas y la sensibilización sobre las enfermedades raras.
Un poema en prosa de Jim Kuhn, un valiente luchador que vive con sarcoidosis, una enfermedad inflamatoria poco común.
Laura, de Rare Mom, nos cuenta cómo los preparativos de su familia para Halloween se convirtieron en una explosión de amor y creatividad familiar, ya que todos colaboraron en el diseño y la confección de un disfraz para Alden, su hijo con una enfermedad compleja.
En lugar de partir de un compuesto farmacológico recién descubierto, la investigación orientada al paciente (PCOR) es un tipo de investigación que comienza por dirigirse a los pacientes y a sus cuidadores y preguntarles: «¿Qué es lo que más les importa?», «¿Qué preguntas quieren que se respondan?», «¿Qué síntomas desearían que se controlaran mejor?» y «¿Qué les quita el sueño?».
Four years ago, Michael Grivas’ life suddenly changed when he learned that he had Brugada Syndrome, a genetic disorder in which the electrical activity of the heart is abnormal due to channelopathy. Learn more about his story.
Fatigue is a very common and often debilitating symptom of IgAN. It is linked to disease progression and reduced kidney function, but other factors like inflammation, anemia, and mental health also play a role. In a 2025 study, the majority of patients with IgAN reported fatigue, and patients with more severe proteinuria and lower kidney filtration rates (eGFR) experienced worse fatigue.
¿Por qué nos cuesta tanto aceptar ayuda? A menudo, las personas asociamos la ayuda con la debilidad y la pérdida de independencia y control. Sin embargo, si cambiamos nuestra forma de pensar, aceptar ayuda puede considerarse una forma de empoderamiento: mostrar vulnerabilidad y confiar en alguien para que nos ayude requiere una gran fortaleza.
Tener una enfermedad rara supone una carga mental enorme. Rare Human Lindsay cuenta que hay cosas que ya no le importan, mientras se ocupa de los síntomas de su enfermedad rara, de los especialistas y de los ensayos clínicos.
Lindsay, de Rare Human, comparte sus «aspectos positivos». No se trata de que «lo que no te mata te hace más fuerte», sino de que lo que no te mata te hace más valiente. Nos cuenta que ha establecido vínculos más profundos con los demás, ha mejorado su capacidad para pedir y aceptar ayuda, y ya no le da tanto miedo la palabra «no».
La periodista y defensora de las enfermedades raras Lindsay Guentzel explica por qué los ensayos clínicos son un salvavidas para la comunidad de personas afectadas por enfermedades raras. Dado que solo el 5 % de las enfermedades raras conocidas cuenta con un tratamiento aprobado por la FDA, los ensayos suelen ser la única vía hacia el tratamiento, el progreso y la esperanza.
Lindsay was diagnosed with dermatomyositis a couple of years ago. Since then, she has undergone more than 350 doctor appointments, 250+ hours of infusions, 10+ ER visits, while juggling insurance approvals, rides, and her pain and fatigue.