Casey's research program focuses on the mechanisms of homogeneously catalyzed reactions, and creating new reagents for organic synthesis including heterobimetallic catalysts.[2] More recently, his research has included studies of diruthenium hydrogenation catalysts, which contain both a protic and a hydridic hydrogen, and hydroformylation reaction catalyzed by chelating diphosphines with large P-M-P angles.[5]
Casey has been a member of the faculty of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Wisconsin since 1968. He achieved the rank of Full Professor in 1977. Named positions he has held at Wisconsin include the Romnes Faculty Fellowship (1977), the Evan P. Helfaer Professorship (1985-1991), and the Homer B. Adkins Professorship (2004-present).[3] Among the significant awards has received for his research are the American Chemical Society Award in Organometallic Chemistry in 1991, and the American Chemical Society Award for the Advancement of Inorganic Chemistry in 2011.[5]