Colin Smith's primary research area is biomolecular archaeology, and in particular investigating the preservation of biomolecules in archaeological skeletal tissue and how this affects the information they contain.His most recent research has focused on the application of stable isotope analysis to ancient proteins with a particular interest in analyzing them at the amino acid level. He currently leads the LC IRMS facility at La Trobe University, which is housed in the School of Molecular Sciences.

Previous research highlights include the development of the concept and models of 'Thermal Age' degradation of ancient DNA (with Professor Matthew Collins) as well as concepts of bone diagenesis and protein degradation (collagen and osteocalcin) in archaeological bone.

Prior to coming to La Trobe, Colin studied Archaeological Science, Analytical Chemistry, and a PhD in Geochemistry in the UK, and has also conducted research at the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (Madrid), in Uppsalla and Stockholm Universities, Durham University and the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (Leipzig).