He pursued Ph.D. studies at Yale University, where he was advised by ornithologist Sidney Dillon Ripley.
His field collection efforts allowed for the description of many new taxa, including 8 species and 61 subspecies of birds.
[7][8] His efforts to educate people around the world about the challenges facing the Philippine Eagle helped spur the involvement of Peace Corps volunteers in Philippine Eagle conservation projects.
[4][8] One of the volunteers, ornithologist Robert Kennedy,[8] returned to the Philippines to continue working on eagle conservation and awareness efforts, including successfully lobbying to change the name of the species from the "Monkey-eating Eagle.
[9] Rabor is commemorated in the scientific name of a species of Philippine lizard, Lipinia rabori.