Oxford University has paid tribute to a "much-valued member of the college community" who was found dead last month. 

Transgender PhD student Cal Shearer, 25, died at their home in Leckford Road, Jericho, on Wednesday, October 30.

More than £7,800 has been raised since an online crowdfunding memorial page was set up for the neuroscience PhD student who was studying at the University of Oxford.

The funds from this will be donated to the Samaritans and Gendered Intelligence. 

Professor Lady Sue Black, president of St John’s College, said: “It is with deep sadness that we confirm that Cal Shearer, a current DPhil student in Neuroscience at St John’s College, died on October 30, 2024. 

READ MORE: Oxford PhD student's cause of death confirmed at inquest

“Our thoughts and condolences are with Cal’s family and close friends at this extremely difficult time. 

“Cal came to St John’s as an undergraduate in 2017 and completed a BA in Psychology and Linguistics. Following an MSc in Neuroscience, Cal continued with postgraduate study. Cal’s doctoral research was concerned with the cognitive and neural bases of learning and decisionmaking.

“Cal was a much-valued member of the college community. We are offering support to those at the college who have been affected by their death. We ask that the privacy of Cal’s family be respected.”

An inquest was opened into the 25-year-old's death by area coroner Nicholas Graham on November 7 at Oxford Coroner's Court.

The student was diagnosed with autism in 2018, and came out as transgender around the same time, an online tribute has said. 

Their love of animals has also been made clear by friends.

Cal Shearer Cal Shearer (Image: Memorial page) On the tribute page, it said: “Their parents, Vicky and Paul, their sister, Eleanor, and their wife, Imogen, are mourning the loss of Cal and their wicked wit, wise words, unbounded compassion, and all the moments when Cal’s joy radiated warmth to all those around them. 

“Cal’s fine mind brought them many exam successes throughout their education culminating in a Wellcome Trust Biomedical Vaccination Scholarship to study the interactions between working memory and attention.  

“They were also offered a place on the British Neuroscience Association's (BNA) scholar's programme and became a member of the 2022 cohort.”

It added: “ Private mental health struggles were also a facet of Cal’s life. 

“Determined to help others, they volunteered for Oxford Nightline – an independent listening, support and information service run for and by students of Oxford Brookes University and the University of Oxford.

"More recently Cal also volunteered for The Samaritans night shifts on the phone aiding others in distress.”

A statement sent to the Oxford Mail by Oxford Nightline said: "Cal embodied the values of Nightline and represented everything that we strive to be as volunteers and people.

"Their belief in others and desire to help above all else guided everything they did.

"They dedicated themselves to supporting other students and they will rightly be remembered for the kindness, compassion and empathy they brought to the student community."

The Samaritans can be contacted 24/7 through the helpline 116 123.