With nearly five decades devoted to clinical practice, education, military service, and community engagement,
Dr. Cuesta has built a career defined by depth, discipline, and compassion. A distinguished clinical psychologist and neuropsychologist—and a dedicated scholar of Buddhist studies—his professional journey reflects a rare integration of science, service, and contemplative wisdom.
   Since 2008, Dr. Cuesta has been an education volunteer at Brooklyn’s Shantideva Meditation Center, where he has taught courses and guided students in Buddhist philosophy and meditation practices. His leadership extended to the center’s board from 2010 to 2017. His path toward Buddhism began years earlier during a family trip to northwestern Thailand, where the quiet presence of monks and nuns, and their grounded, practical philosophy, left a lasting impression that continues to shape his life and work.
   In 2025, Dr. Cuesta expanded his global impact while serving as a clinical neuropsychologist at Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital in Thimphu, Bhutan. There, he provided mental healthcare and participated in community service initiatives, underscoring his commitment to delivering meaningful care across cultures and settings.

   His career also includes service with the United States Air Force from 2021 to 2022 at RAF Alconbury in England, where he delivered psychological services and cognitive behavioral therapy to active-duty service members. Prior to this role, Dr. Cuesta served as a clinical neuropsychologist with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in New York City, providing specialized care for veterans and contributing to advancements in psychotherapy.
   Within the VA system, Dr. Cuesta held dual leadership roles as Supervisory Psychologist and Director of the Manhattan Vet Center Program. In these positions, he led multidisciplinary teams focused on mental health rehabilitation for veterans coping with traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress.
   From 1999 to 2010, he served as Director of Rehabilitation Psychology and Neuropsychology at Burke Rehabilitation Hospital in White Plains, New York. There, he oversaw comprehensive rehabilitation programs, improved patient outcomes, and mentored psychology practicum students and postdoctoral fellows. Earlier in his career, Dr. Cuesta worked as a staff neuropsychologist at Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center in Brooklyn following a postdoctoral residency at San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center. His foundational training also included internships at the University of California and Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center, as well as service as a counseling psychologist with the Veterans Benefits Administration’s Vocational Rehabilitation & Counseling Division.
   Complementing his clinical work is an extensive record of military service. Dr. Cuesta served as a Captain in the Medical Service Corps of the United States Army Reserve from 1999 to 2004, including deployment to Kuwait and Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Earlier, he served on active duty in the U.S. Army from 1978 to 1985, with assignments at Fort McClellan, Fort Myer, and posts in Augsburg and Garmisch, Germany. His service has been recognized with numerous honors, including the Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medals, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, and Global War on Terrorism medals.
   Academically, Dr. Cuesta’s achievements reflect a lifelong dedication to learning. In 2022, he earned a Master of Arts in Buddhist Studies from Maitripa College, returning to formal study after years of independent exploration. He holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology from Alliant International University–San Francisco Bay, a Master of Education in Counseling from Boston University, and a Bachelor of Science in General Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point. He also holds graduate certificates from Harvard University in Teaching and Learning Strategies for Higher Education and from CUNY in Disability Studies. Licensed as a psychologist in New York since 1996, he continues to uphold the highest professional standards.
   Professionally affiliated with the American Psychological Association, the National Academy of Neuropsychology, and the International Neuropsychological Society, Dr. Cuesta has contributed scholarly work on brain injury, cognitive impairment, and dementia to leading journals, including Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology and the Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society.  Beyond his professional life, Dr. Cuesta has remained deeply committed to service and exploration. From 2022 to 2024, he volunteered with Meals on Wheels in Portland. A lifelong traveler, he finds fulfillment in studying Buddhist philosophy, visiting temples worldwide, and immersing himself in diverse cultures.
    Looking ahead, Dr. Cuesta plans to further specialize in psychological services for elderly populations while continuing his volunteer leadership at Shantideva Meditation Center. With plans to divide his time between New York City and Portugal, his next chapter remains rooted in the values that have guided his life—compassion, lifelong learning, and service to others.