Dr. Cabrera is currently an assistant professor in the Center for the Study of Higher Education where he researches the impact the New Start Summer Program has on low-income, first-generation, and racial minority college students.

Prior to going to the University of Arizona, Dr. Cabrera graduated from UCLA where he worked on Dr. Sylvia Hurtado's NIH-funded project regarding diversifying the sciences.  His dissertation, "Invisible Racism: Male Hegemonic Whiteness in Higher Education", critically analyzed White, male undergraduates racial ideologies.  Dr. Cabrera's primary research interests include race/racism in higher education, Whiteness formation, diversity, and affirmative action.