He is interested in the dynamics of collective actions in Central America. He studies how social actors and institutions react to the region’s worsening democratic quality. Cabrales also studies disasters’ impact on vulnerable communities in the region and the migration dynamics in Central America. His findings have been presented at regional conferences and publications on Central American affairs. He has lectured courses on Statistics, Social Theory, Political Sociology, and Research Methodology at the University of Pittsburgh, Universidad Centroamericana (Nicaragua), and Universidad Rafael Landívar (Guatemala).